Latvian unemployment rate was 6.5 % in 2023

Results from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) conducted by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) show that in 2023 there were 61.5 thousand unemployed persons (aged 15–74) in Latvia. Over the year the number has reduced by 3.7 thousand or 5.7 %. Last year Latvia had an unemployment rate of 6.5 %, which is 0.4 percentage points lower than in 2022. Unemployment rate among women still was lower than among men (5.4 % and 7.6 %, respectively).

In Q4 2023, compared to Q3 2023, unemployment rate rose by 0.3 percentage points and was 6.8 %. A total of 64.2 thousand people were unemployed (up by 2.7 thousand or 4.4 %).

In Q4 2023, compared to Q3 2023, the number of unemployed men fell by 0.4 thousand or 1.1 % and of unemployed women rose by 3.2 thousand or 12.5 %.

Number of unemployed persons

(thousand)

Refer to the OSP database: NBB020 and NBB160c

In Q3 2023 Latvian unemployment rate (6.5 %) was 0.6 percentage points above the EU average (5.9 %). In Q4 2023 it was higher than in Estonia (6.3 %) and lower than in Lithuania (7.5 %).

Refer to the Eurostat database: LFSQ_URGAED; Q4 2023 data: OSP database table NBB160c, results from the LFS conducted in Lithuania and Estonia

Smaller proportion of long-term unemployed in 2023

In 2023, compared to 2022, the number of unemployed persons who did not have a job for up to five months grew by 0.9 thousand (33.7 thousand or 55.0 %) whereas the number of persons unemployed for 6–11 months dropped by 2.5 thousand (10.6 thousand or 17.3 %). The number of long-term unemployed persons, i.e., those without a job for 12 months or more, reduced by 1.8 thousand and was 17.0 thousand or 27.6 % of all unemployed in 2023 (18.8 thousand or 29.1 % in 2022).

In Q4 2023, 34.2 thousand people or 53.8 % of all unemployed persons did not have a job for up to five months (35.0 thousand or 56.9 % in Q3 2023) and 12.3 thousand people or 19.4 % for 6–11 months (10.7 thousand or 17.5 % in Q3 2023). In addition, there were 17.0 thousand long-term unemployed persons (15.8 thousand in Q3 2023) and the share thereof in the total number of unemployed persons was 26.8 %, which is 1.2 percentage points more than in Q3 2023.

Unemployed persons by duration of unemployment

(per cent)

CSB estimate; the totals may not constitute 100 % as the numbers are calculated from unrounded figures.

In 2023 Latvia had the lowest youth unemployment rate in the Baltic countries 

In 2023 youth unemployment rate was 12.3 %, which is 3.0 percentage points lower than a year ago. Out of all unemployed persons, there were 7.9 thousand or 12.9 % young people aged 15–24. The number of unemployed youths fell by 1.9 thousand over the year and their proportion of all unemployed persons by 2.2 percentage points.

In Q4 2023 youth unemployment rate was 13.7 %, which is 1.2 percentage points higher than in Q3 2023. The number of unemployed youths went up by 0.1 thousand and was 8.7 thousand or 13.5 % of all unemployed (13.9 % in Q3 2023).

The Latvian youth unemployment rate has been lower than the EU average since 2013, however in 2022 it was 0.8 percentage points higher. In addition, in 2023 Latvia had the lowest youth unemployment rate in the Baltic states (18.3 % in Lithuania and 17.3 % and Estonia).

Refer to the Eurostat database: LFSA_URGAED; 2023 data: OSP database table NBB010, results of the LFS conducted in Lithuania and Estonia.

Out of all young people, 34.9 % were economically active (i.e., employed or actively looking for a job (unemployed)) in 2023, while 65.1 % were inactive (mostly still in education and not looking for job).

Change in inactive population insignificant

In 2023, 31.4 % or 432.0 thousand people of the population aged 15–74 was inactive i.e., were neither in employment, nor actively looking for a job (of which 159.6 thousand or 36.9 % in the age group 65–74). Over the year inactive population reduced by 2.6 thousand people or 0.6 %.

In Q4 2023, 31.4 % or 430.4 thousand people aged 15–74 were inactive. Over the quarter inactive population grew by 5.4 thousand people or 1.3 %.

In 2023, 0.6 % of all inactive people were discouraged from finding a job (1.2 % in 2022).

In 2023 LFS covered 20.3 thousand households in which 34.2 thousand people aged 15–89 were interviewed, including 17.5 thousand households with 29.5 thousand people aged 15–74. In Q4 2023 LFS covered 5.1 thousand households in which 8.6 thousand people aged 15–89 were interviewed, including 4.4 thousand households with 7.4 thousand people aged 15–74.

Media requests:
Communication Section
E-mail: media@csp.gov.lv
Phone: +371 27880666

More information on data:
Sandra Ceriņa
Social Statistics Data Compilation and Analysis Section
E-mail: Sandra.Cerina@csp.gov.lv
Phone: +371 67366653