Central Statistical Bureau data published December 12 show that in the third quarter (Q3) of 2024 there were 22.9 thousand job vacancies in Latvia, which is 2.6 thousand vacancies or 10.3 % fewer than in Q3 2023.
In the private sector, there were 12.2 thousand and in the public sector 10.7 thousand vacant jobs. Over the year, the number of job vacancies in the private sector fell by 2.2 thousand or 15.6 % and in the public sector by 0.4 thousand or 3.3 %.
Out of all jobs available in Latvia (both occupied and vacant), 2.5 % of positions were vacant, of which 3.6 % in public and 2.0 % in the private sector.
Compared to Q3 2023, in Q3 2024 the average number of occupied posts in the country went down by 2.4 thousand or 0.3 %. In the private sector it dropped by 2.9 thousand or 0.5 % and in the public grew by 0.5 thousand or 0.2 %.
The largest share of job vacancies was recorded among technicians and associate professionals (4.2 %), elementary occupations (2.9 %), as well as craft and related trades workers (2.8 %).
The greatest proportion of job vacancies was recorded in public administration (8.0 %), followed by administrative and support service activities (3.2 %), as well as information and communication (3.0 %).
Regional breakdown of the Q3 2024 data shows the largest share of vacant jobs in Riga (3.4 % or 16.7 thousand) and the smallest in Kurzeme and Latgale (1.1 % or 1.0 thousand and 1.1 % or 0.7 thousand, respectively). In Zemgale region 1.3 % of jobs or 0.9 thousand positions were vacant and in Vidzeme 1.2 % or 0.7 thousand.
Among the three Baltic states, the greatest proportion of job vacancies was recorded in Latvia – 2.5 % – followed by Lithuania with 2.1 % and Estonia with 1.6 %. Over the year, the number of vacant jobs in Lithuania grew by 6.0 % while in Latvia and Estonia reduced by 10.3 % and 17.7 %, respectively.
