Work life quality

The culture and meaning of work have changed significantly over time. In addition to earning an income to cover basic needs, people expect self-growth and self-realisation opportunities from their jobs.

Work life quality at the society level means healthy and skilled jobs for as many people as possible in order to ensure high employment and productivity. Employers hope to find people with suitable skills from the labour market. Employees wish to work secure, safe and interesting jobs, which are also flexible enough to allow contributing to the society outside the job and enjoying fulfilling family lives.

Statistics Estonia publishes the following information on the quality of work life:

  • working time;
  • satisfaction with work (for both employees and employers);
  • gender equality;
  • work organisation;
  • occupational health;
  • labour market gaps.

Statistics on work life quality show how work life and its quality have changed over time in Estonia and where support from the state is needed. The statistics give an overview on which types of contracts people work under, what are their working time arrangements, what study and development opportunities employers provide, how are equal treatment of employees and workplace safety ensured, and how all of these match people’s expectations.

Males' and females' employment gap 4.5 %
2023
Males' employment rate 71.5 %
2023
Females' employment rate 67.0 %
2023
Males' and females' unemployment gap -0.7 %
2019
Males' unemployment rate 4.1 %
2019
Females' unemployment rate 4.8 %
2019
News

The share of men receiving parental benefit increased

According to Statistics Estonia, in 2020, men accounted for slightly more than a fifth of the 34,570 persons receiving parental benefit. The average monthly parental benefit was 1,170 euros for women and 1,638 euros for men. The parental benefit gap was the lowest ever.
Read more 29. June 2021
News

More and more men receiving parental benefit

According to Statistics Estonia, 27,989 women and 3,920 men received parental benefit in Estonia in 2019. The average monthly parental benefit paid to men was a third higher than that paid to women.
Read more 29. June 2020