We know Estonia
21.2.2025 | Estonia

Unemployment and employment both increased last year

Text Ingel Kink
Photo Austin Distel / Unsplash

Unemployment and employment both increased last year

 

According to data released by Statistics Estonia, the unemployment rate in 2024 rose to 7.6 per cent, up by 1.2 percentage points from the previous year. The average number of unemployed people in 2024 was 57,100, which is an increase of 9,400 compared to 2023. Unemployment saw a sharp rise in the first quarter, but gradually stabilised throughout the rest of the year, reaching 7.4 per cent by the fourth quarter.

The number of employed persons in Estonia also grew slightly, with an increase of 4,000 compared to 2023. The employment rate stood at 68.9 per cent, which was a 0.3 percentage point increase from the previous year. Employment grew among women, particularly in the age group 65–74, while the number of employed men saw a small decline.

Regionally, employment increased in Northern, Southern, and Northeastern Estonia, but remained stable in Central Estonia and decreased in Western Estonia. Employment growth was most noticeable in agriculture, accommodation, food services, and trade. However, the manufacturing sector, especially the production of computer and optical products, saw a decline in employment.

The rise in both unemployed and employed individuals can be attributed to the increase in the working-age population, which grew by 9,600, and a drop of 3,700 in the number of economically inactive people. Consequently, the labour force participation rate increased to 74.6 per cent, a rise of 0.7 percentage points from 2023.

 

To learn more about this and similar topics
Economic activity Estonia Employment in Estonia Estonia job trends Estonia workforce Regional employment Statistics Estonia Unemployment in Estonia

25.3.2025 | Estonia

Understanding Estonians when they speak English

Understanding Estonians when they speak English

Like the title of this article, sometimes what you understand is not what’s really being said when you have … Read more

20.3.2025 | Estonia

Tallinn Fashion Week takes off

Tallinn Fashion Week takes off

Estonia’s preeminent fashion event is taking off on the runway today in Tallinn’s Vene kultuurikeskus. Tallinn Fashion Week, which … Read more

19.3.2025 | Estonia

AI surveillance to make Estonia safer

AI surveillance to make Estonia safer

Security cameras powered by artificial intelligence are the Estonian government’s plan to crack down on already low levels of … Read more

15.3.2025 | Estonia

Estonia is a popular destination for tourists

Estonia is a popular destination for tourists

According to Statistics Estonia, a total of 205,000 tourists stayed in accommodation establishments in Estonia in January 2025, which … Read more

11.3.2025 | Estonia

Now you can cruise around Tallinn with a moped rental

Now you can cruise around Tallinn with a moped rental

Starting this week, a company called Ride Mobility, from Latvia, will begin offering moped rentals in Tallinn. Electric mopeds … Read more

11.3.2025 | Estonia

Tallinn wants to reinvent itself—again 

Tallinn wants to reinvent itself—again 

Legend has it that the Old Man of Lake Ülemiste (Ülemiste vanake), a mythical figure in local lore, will … Read more

6.3.2025 | Estonia

MELT Innovation Forum Held in Tallinn This April

MELT Innovation Forum Held in Tallinn This April

The MELT Innovation Forum 2025, the tenth overall, will be held at Tallinn’s Kultuurikatel on 15 April. This year’s … Read more

4.3.2025 | Estonia

More flights on the Tallinn–Amsterdam route

More flights on the Tallinn–Amsterdam route

airBaltic will add new flights on the Tallinn–Amsterdam route starting 30 March. The airline will operate this route twice … Read more