We know Estonia
16.2.2023 | Estonia

Number of unemployed persons in Estonia fell for a second year in a row in 2022

Text Mark Taylor
Photo Andrei Chertkov

Number of unemployed persons in Estonia fell for a second year in a row in 2022

 

According to data published by Statistics Estonia, in 2022, the employment rate was 69.2 per cent, and unemployment rate was 5.6 per cent. In total, there were 677,400 employed persons, which is the highest number in recent years.

The number of unemployed persons and the unemployment rate both fell last year, for the second year running. In 2022, there were 40,200 unemployed persons, which is 2,900 fewer than the year before. The unemployment rate was 5.6 per cent, down from 6.2 per cent in 2021.

“The biggest decrease in the unemployment rate in 2022 was recorded in Tartumaa and Pärnumaa. Unemployment also declined in Ida-Virumaa, but there was a rise in the unemployment rate in Harjumaa excluding Tallinn city, and in Lääne-Virumaa. In Tallinn, both the number of unemployed persons and the unemployment rate remained at the same level as the year before,” said Tea Vassiljeva, an analyst at Statistics Estonia.

 

 

In 2022, the number of employed persons grew substantially. “Their number was still in decline in 2021, but started to increase in 2022. The number of women among employed persons increased more than the number of men,” noted Vassiljeva.

In 2021, there were 650,500 employed persons aged 15–74 in Estonia, including 329,500 men and 321,000 women. In 2022, the number of employed persons rose by 26,900 to 677,400, of which 341,700 were men and 335,700 women. This is the biggest number in recent years. A similar growth year on year was recorded in the employment rate, which increased by 2.5 percentage points from 66.7 per cent in 2021 to 69.2 per cent in 2022.

 

 

“In 2022, there were 260,800 inactive persons, which is 21,500 fewer than the year before. A considerable share of them have probably found employment since 2021, which is why the labour force participation rate has increased by 2.2 percentage points compared with 2021,” added Vassiljeva.

In 2022, the number of persons working both full-time and part-time increased. The number of persons working part-time grew by 14,500 compared with 2021, to 102,000. The number of persons working full-time increased by 12,400 year on year to 575,200 in 2022.

 

To learn more about this and similar topics
Employment Estonia Employment rate 2022 Full Time Employment Estonia Labour Force Part Time Employment Estonia Statistics Estonia Unemployment Estonia Unemployment Rate 2022

26.11.2025 | Estonia

Lies, damn lies, and statistics?

Lies, damn lies, and statistics?

Compiling statistics and analysing them is a difficult craft. A senior analyst at Statistics Estonia commented on the September … Read more

19.11.2025 | Estonia

Trio in Autumnal Narva

Trio in Autumnal Narva

How does a trip to Estonia’s easternmost city go with two dogs? And what does Narva offer for furry … Read more

13.11.2025 | Estonia

Tallinn’s Newest Hotels Offer Incredible Variety

Tallinn’s Newest Hotels Offer Incredible Variety

Staying the night in Tallinn gets easier, more convenient, and more luxurious every year, and 2025 is no exception. … Read more

9.11.2025 | Estonia

Finns Are Spending Increasingly Shorter Periods of Time in Estonia

Finns Are Spending Increasingly Shorter Periods of Time in Estonia

The Bank of Estonia, Eesti Pank, has published its tourism statistics for the third quarter. The share of Finnish … Read more

7.11.2025 | Estonia

In the News

In the News

Estonia’s public debt is the lowest in Europe According to Eurostat, Estonia’s public-sector debt is 23.2% relative to its … Read more

19.10.2025 | Estonia

World’s Best New Hotel Located in Tallinn

World’s Best New Hotel Located in Tallinn

Located in the heart of Tallinn’s Old Town and connected to the Bombay Club, the Burman, a 17-room luxury … Read more

14.10.2025 | Estonia

More Finns Than Last Summer, But Overnight Hotel Stays Continue to Decline

More Finns Than Last Summer, But Overnight Hotel Stays Continue to Decline

The number of Finnish ferry passengers increased by 5.4% during the summer months. According to the Port of Tallinn, … Read more

13.10.2025 | Estonia

Exciting events in Estonia this week

Exciting events in Estonia this week

9 October 2025–9 January 2026, Angelika Kollin’s “Tender Ground” exhibition, Tallinn Photographer Angelika Kollin’s delicate exhibition explores intimacy, vulnerability, … Read more