The number of job vacancies rose to over 13,000
According to Statistics Estonia, in the first quarter of 2022, there were 13,076 job vacancies in the enterprises, institutions and organisations of Estonia. This is 38% more than in the same quarter of 2021. More than 4,000 persons left their jobs on the employer’s initiative.
The total number of vacant and occupied posts was 631,445. The biggest share of these posts were in manufacturing, trade, and education. The number of job vacancies was the highest in wholesale and retail trade (2,515), manufacturing (1,530), and education (1,480).
Argo Tarkiainen, analyst at Statistics Estonia, said that vacant posts accounted for 2.1% of the total number of posts in the first quarter of this year. 32% of all job vacancies were in the public sector. “The rate of job vacancies was the highest in information and communication and financial and insurance activities, and the lowest in real estate activities,” he added.
Most of the vacant posts were in Harju county (80%), including Tallinn City (70%), followed by Tartu county (6.2%) and Ida-Viru county (2.7%). The rate of job vacancies was the highest in Harju and Valga counties and the lowest in Jõgeva and Hiiu counties.
In the first quarter, 50,013 persons were hired, and 44,193 persons left work. Labour flows are characterised by labour turnover (the total number of engaged employees and employees who left) which decreased by 7% compared to the first quarter of 2021. “The number of new hires and the number of employees who left their job were both the highest in wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing, and construction. 4,640 employees left their job on the employer’s initiative, which represented 10% of all the employees who left work,” said Tarkiainen.
To estimate the number of occupied posts and labour turnover, Statistics Estonia uses the data of the employment register of the Estonian Tax and Customs Board. The quarterly average number of job vacancies and occupied posts is published as at the end of the month. The main representative of public interest for the statistical activity is the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications, commissioned by whom Statistics Estonia collects and analyses the data necessary for conducting the statistical activity.
More detailed data have been published in the statistical database.
See also the dedicated section on wages and salaries and labour costs.
For further information:
Hanna-Liisa Ruul
Communications Partner
Marketing and Dissemination Department
Statistics Estonia
Tel +372 625 9264