Work life
The unemployment rate was 7.1% in the first quarter
According to Statistics Estonia, in the first quarter of 2026, the unemployment rate was 7.1%, the employment rate was 68%, and the labour force participation rate was 73.2%. Labour market indicators improved year on year but were not as good as in the previous quarter.
Lowest-ever gender pay gap recorded in Estonia last year
According to Statistics Estonia, in 2025, the gross hourly earnings of female employees were 12.2% smaller than the hourly earnings of male employees. The gender pay gap decreased by one percentage point year on year and was the narrowest ever.
The number of job vacancies was the highest in education and trade
According to Statistics Estonia, in the fourth quarter of 2025, there were 8,553 job vacancies in the enterprises, institutions and organisations of Estonia. The number of vacant posts was the highest in education and wholesale and retail trade.