Employment
April unemployment rate down slightly in Latvia
April unemployment rate down slightly in Latvia
Results of the Labor Force Survey published on May 19 by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) show that in April 2023 actual unemployment rate in Latvia was 5.8 % and compared to March it has reduced by 0.3 percentage points.
Summer jobs available for students in Latvia
Summer jobs available for students in Latvia
Every year, the State Employment Agency (NVA) offers students job opportunities during the lengthy summer holidays. Applications have begun and several companies have already found their employees, Latvian Radio reported on May 17.
Unemployment down in March
Unemployment down in March
Results of the Labour Force Survey conducted by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) show that in March 2023 the actual unemployment rate in Latvia was 6.8 % and compared to February it had reduced by 0.2 percentage points.
Economics, Welfare ministers: guest worker entry could be simplified
Economics, Welfare ministers: guest worker entry could be simplified
The rules for the entry of third-country workers could be simplified in Latvia, Welfare Minister Evika Siliņa (New Unity) and Economics Minister Ilze Indriksone (National Alliance) said in an interview on the Latvian Television programme “Today's Question” on April 19. The politicians, however, have a different view of specific changes.
Growing share of higher education in employment in Latvia
Growing share of higher education in employment in Latvia
Data published on April 17 by the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia show that, out of 804 thousand people (aged 25 and over) employed on the national labor market at the beginning of 2022, 42.1 % had higher education, which is an increase of 0.9 percentage points over the year.
Unemployment down slightly in March
Unemployment down slightly in March
 At end-March, the registered unemployment rate in Latvia was 6.1 percent of the economically active population, down 0.2 percentage points from a month ago, according to information from the State Employment Agency.
Employers request changes in tax, insurance policy
Employers request changes in tax, insurance policy
The largest employers' organisations in Latvia – Latvian Employers' Confederation (LDDK) and the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LTRK) submitted a joint statement to the Ministry of Finance on the review of labor tax policy on April 3.
Young Ukrainians can participate in 'Shadow Day' this year
Young Ukrainians can participate in 'Shadow Day' this year
“Shadow Day” will take place in Latvia on April 5. On Shadow Day, pupils are invited to spend a day with a professional of their choice and observe their work. This year, young people living in Latvia from Ukraine are welcome to participate. Latvian Television met with two Ukrainian young people on March 24 who are planning to participate.
Russian language tends to disappear from job ads in Latvia
Russian language tends to disappear from job ads in Latvia
Although Russian knowledge is one of the most demanded in Latvia's labour market, the past year's events in Ukraine have made adjustments in this respect. Under public pressure, the Russian-language requirement is disappearing from job advertisements, Latvian Radio reported on March 22.
Little change in February unemployment figures
Little change in February unemployment figures
Results of the Labour Force Survey conducted by the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia (CSB) and published March 20 show that in February 2023 the actual unemployment rate in Latvia accounted for 7.0 % and compared to January it has increased by 0.1 percentage points.
Number of job vacancies up nearly 6% in 2022
Number of job vacancies up nearly 6% in 2022
Data published by the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia (CSB) March 17 show that in 2022 there were 25.9 thousand job vacancies in Latvia, which is 1.4 thousand vacancies or 5.8 % more than in 2021. 
Latvia made progress on gender pay gap in 2021
Latvia made progress on gender pay gap in 2021
On the occasion of International Women's Day on March 8, women's issues are very much in focus, but with regard to the differences in pay between men and women, there is at least one sign of progress even if pay remains far from equal.
Part-time work still more popular among women than men
Part-time work still more popular among women than men
In the EU, fresh Eurostat data shows that the share of female part-time workers in total female-employed people aged 15-64, in the third quarter of 2022, was higher (28%) than the share of men (8%), with women representing the highest shares in all occupational categories. 
Latvian unemployment rate at 6.9% in 2022
Latvian unemployment rate at 6.9% in 2022
According to data published on February 24 by Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia (CSB), 65.2 thousand persons aged 15–74 (incl.) were unemployed in 2022. 
Unemployment rate up in January
Unemployment rate up in January
Results of the Labor Force Survey published on February 20 by the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia (CSB) show that in January 2023 the actual unemployment rate in Latvia accounted for 6.9%, and compared to December 2022 it has increased by 0.2 percentage points.
10,000 Ukrainians in Latvia's labor market
10,000 Ukrainians in Latvia's labor market
More than 10,000 Ukrainian civilians have entered the Latvian labor market, Evita Simsone, director of the State Employment Agency (NVA), told the Latvian Television broadcast Rīta panorāma on January 23.
More than 8% of young people did not work or study in 2021
More than 8% of young people did not work or study in 2021
The data published January 12 by the Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia (CSB) show that 14.9 thousand (8.6 %) young people aged 15–24 in Latvia were neither in employment, nor in education or training (NEET) in 2021.
Court employees ready to strike if salaries don't grow
Court employees ready to strike if salaries don't grow
Two-thirds of court employees are willing to strike if their salaries don't rise. Judicial Council Chairman Aigars Strupišs told Latvian Radio on January 9  that for a long time, the employees had been "starved", which would not happen if financially first and second-instance courts were independent of the Justice Ministry. The Judicial Council has a number of suggestions for the new Minister.
Surplus of low-skilled workers predicted for 2030 in Latvia
Surplus of low-skilled workers predicted for 2030 in Latvia
A number of industries are changing today, so once-gained knowledge is no longer sufficient for citizens to stay in the labor market. The declaration of this Government contains a commitment to improving labor access and lifelong learning policies. The Ministry of Economics forecasts a surplus of low-skilled workers in the future and pays particular attention to acquiring digital skills, Latvian Radio reported on January 5.
Emergency medical service constantly short-staffed in Latvia
Emergency medical service constantly short-staffed in Latvia
There are 250 vacancies in the Emergency Medical Service (NMPD) that have long been free. After the load of the Covid-19 pandemic, employees who have reached retirement pensions do not want to continue, Liene Cipule, head of the NMPD, told the Latvian Television broadcast “Morning Panorama” on December 30.
Long-term unemployment declined this year in Latvia
Long-term unemployment declined this year in Latvia
Over the past year, there have  been positive trends in the reduction of unemployment, particularly in long-term unemployment. At the same time,t he number of vacancies increased by 10 percent in Latvia in the third quarter, Latvian Radio reported on December 27.
Latvia's salaries lag behind Estonia and Lithuania
Latvia's salaries lag behind Estonia and Lithuania
In 2021, the average annual full-time adjusted salary for employees in the European Union was €33 500. Eurostat publishing this indicator for the first time ever on December 19.
Employers still dissatisfied with minimum wage increase in Latvia
Employers still dissatisfied with minimum wage increase in Latvia
The previous Saeima decided that as of January 1 next year, the minimum salary in Latvia will be €620 instead of the current €500. Employers argue that the decision to raise the minimum wage was not aligned with the social partners, and consider that raising the minimum wage should take place at the same time as increasing the non-taxable minimum, Latvian Radio reported on December 19.
Job vacancies grew by 10% in third quarter
Job vacancies grew by 10% in third quarter
In the third quarter of 2022 there were 26,000 job vacancies in Latvia, which is 2,400 vacancies or 10.2 % more than in the third quarter of 2021, the Central Statistics Bureau (CSB) said December 15.
At least 11,000 Ukrainians have found work in Latvia
At least 11,000 Ukrainians have found work in Latvia
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, at least 11,000 Ukrainian people have found jobs in Latvia, Evita Simsone, director of the State Employment Agency (NVA), said in an interview to Latvian Television on December 8.
Most important