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In 2024 the number of job vacancies reduced by 5.3 %
Data of the Central Statistical Bureau show that in 2024 there were 23.0 thousand job vacancies in Latvia, which is 1.3 thousand vacancies or 5.3 % less than in 2023. In private sector there were 12.2 thousand and in public sector 10.8 thousand job vacancies. Over the year, the number of job vacancies in private sector decreased by 1.3 thousand or 9.5 %, while in public sector the number of job vacancies remained almost the same.
Refer to the OSP database: DVB010c , NBB160c
Out of the total number of jobs in Latvia (both occupied and vacant), 2.5 % positions were vacant, of which 3.6 % in public sector and 2.0 % in private sector.
In 2024, compared to 2023, the average number of occupied posts in the country fell by 5.1 thousand or 0.6 %. In private sector it dropped by 6.0 thousand or 1.0 %, but in public sector increased by 0.9 thousand or 0.3 %.
Occupied posts and job vacancies by sector
| Average in 2023, thousand | Average in 2024, thousand | Change, % |
Job vacancies, total | 24.3 | 23.0 | -5.3 |
Private sector | 13.5 | 12.2 | -9.5 |
Public sector | 10.8 | 10.8 | 0.0 |
Occupied posts, total | 886.5 | 881.4 | -0.6 |
Private sector | 599.5 | 593.5 | -1.0 |
Public sector | 286.9 | 287.8 | 0.3 |
Over the year, the number of job vacancies went down in almost all occupational groupings – mostly among skilled agricultural, forestry and fishery workers (46.5 %), craft and related trades workers (10.5 %), as well as service and sales workers, and professionals (8.2 %).
In 2024, out of all job posts the highest share of job vacancies was registered among professionals – 4.4 %, craft and related trades workers – 3.4 %, where demand for workers has increased, as well as among elementary occupations – 2.8 %.
Source of major grouping classification: Classification of Occupations
In 2024 the highest share of job vacancies was registered in public administration – 7.9 %, administrative and support service activities, as well as mining and quarrying – 3.1 %, transportation and storage – 3.0 % and information and communication – 2.8 %.
Job vacancies and occupied posts by main kind of economic activity
| Average in 2023 | Average in 2024 | ||||
Job vacancies, thousand | Occupied posts, thousand | Job vacancy rate, % | Job vacancies, thousand | Occupied posts, thousand | Job vacancy rate, % | |
Total | 24.3 | 886.5 | 2.7 | 23.0 | 881.4 | 2.5 |
Agriculture, forestry and fishing (A) | 0.3 | 22.1 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 22.0 | 1.0 |
Mining and quarrying (B) | 0.1 | 3.3 | 3.3 | 0.1 | 3.3 | 3.1 |
Manufacturing (C) | 2.9 | 112.3 | 2.5 | 2.8 | 108.6 | 2.6 |
Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply (D) | 0.2 | 10.4 | 2.2 | 0.3 | 10.3 | 2.6 |
Water supply, sewerage, waste management and remediation activities (E) | 0.1 | 6.8 | 2.0 | 0.1 | 6.8 | 1.7 |
Construction (F) | 1.7 | 58.3 | 2.9 | 1.3 | 56.5 | 2.3 |
Wholesale and retail sale; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (G) | 2.5 | 138.3 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 136.2 | 1.6 |
Transportation and storage (H) | 2.0 | 66.8 | 2.9 | 2.0 | 65.2 | 3.0 |
Accommodation and food service activities (I) | 0.8 | 31.3 | 2.5 | 0.7 | 31.8 | 2.2 |
Information and communication (J) | 1.0 | 39.5 | 2.5 | 1.1 | 39.8 | 2.8 |
Financial and insurance activities (K) | 0.3 | 16.7 | 1.9 | 0.4 | 17.1 | 2.0 |
Real estate activities (L) | 0.4 | 27.7 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 27.4 | 1.5 |
Professional, scientific and technical activities (M) | 0.5 | 39.1 | 1.3 | 0.4 | 38.9 | 1.0 |
Administrative and support service activities (N) | 1.6 | 38.9 | 4.0 | 1.3 | 39.1 | 3.1 |
Public administration and defence; compulsory social security (O) | 5.7 | 62.2 | 8.4 | 5.4 | 62.7 | 7.9 |
Education (P) | 1.6 | 95.8 | 1.7 | 1.6 | 95.2 | 1.6 |
Human health and social work activities (Q) | 2.2 | 83.2 | 2.6 | 2.2 | 86.5 | 2.5 |
Arts, entertainment and recreation (R) | 0.3 | 22.6 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 22.7 | 1.3 |
Other service activities (S) | 0.0 | 11.2 | 0.4 | 0.1 | 11.2 | 1.2 |
Regional breakdown of the data shows that in 2024 the largest share of job vacancies was registered in Riga (3.2 % or 19.4 thousand) and the smallest in Kurzeme (1.0 % or 0.9 thousand). In Zemgale it comprised 1.4 % (0.9 thousand), in Latgale 1.3 % (0.8 thousand) and in Vidzeme 1.2 % (1.0 thousand).
Among the three Baltic states, the greatest proportion of job vacancies in 2024 was recorded in Latvia – 2.5 %, which was followed by Lithuania – 2.0 % and Estonia – 1.6 %.
Over the year, number of vacant jobs in Lithuania grew by 3.8 % while in Latvia and Estonia reduced by 5.3 % and 12.1 %, respectively.
Media requests:
Public Relations Section
E-mail: media@csp.gov.lv
Phone: +371 27880666
More information on data:
Santa Maļinovska
Business Statistics Data Analysis and Dissemination Section
E-mail: Santa.Malinovska@csp.gov.lv
Phone: +371 67366666
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