https://eng.lsm.lv/ eng.lsm.lv en https://eng.lsm.lv//assets/logo/lsm_hi.png https://eng.lsm.lv/ https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/16.07.2026-women-have-longer-working-lives-than-men-in-latvia.a655322/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 16 Jul 2026 14:38:55 GMT 655322 Based on 2025 data published  by Eurostat on July 16th, people aged 15 and over in the EU are expected to work on average 37.5 years, up from 37.2 in 2024. Since 2016, the expected duration of working life in the EU has increased by 2.3 years, from 35.2 to 37.5. However, this indicator differs significantly between EU countries. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/12.07.2026-48-of-latvias-jobs-are-in-culture.a653973/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Sun, 12 Jul 2026 08:42:22 GMT 653973 Latvia has slightly more workers in the cultural sector than the EU average, according to figures published by Eurostat on July 10th. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/08.07.2026-daugavpils-faces-mass-layoffs.a654264/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 08 Jul 2026 06:24:00 GMT 654264 Daugavpils has been shaken by news of a large-scale round of layoffs – nearly 300 people at two companies will lose their jobs in the near future, LSM's Latgale editorial reports on June 8. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/02.07.2026-some-spots-still-available-for-youth-summer-work-in-latvia.a653546/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 02 Jul 2026 07:16:02 GMT 653546 For some pupils, summer break means not only relaxation but also their first work experience. There is great interest in summer jobs for pupils, yet some employers are still looking for young people, Latvian Television reported on July 2. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/16.06.2026-male-graduates-get-more-jobs-than-female-graduates-in-latvia.a651648/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 16 Jun 2026 08:48:52 GMT 651648 New Eurostat data reveals some interesting trends, particularly with regard to the gap between the employment prospects of male and female graduates in Latvia. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/08.06.2026-latvia-had-nearly-20-thousand-vacancies-in-first-quarter.a650617/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 08 Jun 2026 14:15:38 GMT 650617 Central Statistical Bureau data published on June 8 show that in Q1 2026, the Latvian labour market had 19.8 thousand job vacancies, of which 10.8 thousand jobs were vacant in the private sector and 8.9 thousand in the public sector. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/08.06.2026-mixed-picture-on-latvian-labour-productivity.a650543/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 08 Jun 2026 08:16:24 GMT 650543 In the first quarter of 2026, labour productivity in the EU increased slightly by 0.1% based on both persons and hours worked, compared with the same quarter of the previous year, according to fresh Eurostat statistics. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/04.06.2026-latvian-radio-probes-allegations-of-bullying-on-rail-baltica-project.a650093/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 04 Jun 2026 11:06:00 GMT 650093 In recent years, the State Labour Inspectorate (VDI) has been receiving an increasing number of complaints about bullying and aggressive management in state-owned companies. The institution has received such complaints about "Eiropas Dzelzceļa līnījas" (European Railway Lines/EDzL), the capital company responsible for the implementation of the multi-billion-euro "Rail Baltica" project in Latvia, and part of the overall 'RB Rail' management structure for the project. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/01.06.2026-latvias-average-salary-was-eur-1831-in-first-quarter.a649595/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 01 Jun 2026 11:35:30 GMT 649595 Central Statistical Bureau provisional data, published on June 1, show that in Q1 2026, average monthly gross wages and salaries stood at 1,831 euros (in full-time units), representing a rise of 73 euros or 4.2 % compared with Q1 2025. Hourly earnings increased to 11.87 euros or by 2.3 %. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/28.05.2026-latvians-work-longer-hours-than-estonians-shorter-hours-than-lithuanians.a648600/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 28 May 2026 08:51:15 GMT 648600 In 2025, the actual weekly working hours of EU full-time and part-time workers aged 20-64 in their main job averaged 35.9 hours, down from 36.9 hours in 2015, according to the latest Eurostat statistics.  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/22.05.2026-youth-employment-rate-improved-in-early-2026.a647545/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 22 May 2026 13:24:40 GMT 647545 Results from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) conducted by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) show that in Latvia 871.2 thousand people, or 63.8 % of the population aged 15–74, were employed in Q1 2026. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/05.05.2026-latvians-tend-not-to-work-weekends.a645615/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 05 May 2026 06:16:43 GMT 645615 In 2025, 21.3% of employed people in the EU aged 15-64 years old usually worked during weekends, according to Eurostat data published on May 1st. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/29.04.2026-over-40-of-latvias-workforce-had-higher-education-in-2025.a645082/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:33:28 GMT 645082 According to a Central Statistical Bureau estimate based on administrative data, published on 28th April, 41.5% of the 863 thousand employed persons had a tertiary education at the beginning of 2025, up 2.1 percentage points from 2021.  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/21.04.2026-balvi-municipal-employees-hop-over-to-neighbouring-towns.a643868/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 21 Apr 2026 10:57:09 GMT 643868 Several specialists from the Development Planning and Procurement Department of the Balvi Municipality have submitted notices of resignation. Why are these specialists leaving Balvi for other municipalities? Latvian Radio set out to find this out on 21st April. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/21.04.2026-latvias-employment-rate-is-higher-than-eu-average.a643819/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 21 Apr 2026 06:59:40 GMT 643819 In 2025, 76.1% (197.7 million people) of the EU’s 20 to 64-year-olds were employed, the highest share recorded since such data started to be collected in 2009, according to Eurostat data published on April 17th. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/20.04.2026-more-than-10000-ukrainians-currently-working-in-latvia.a643621/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 20 Apr 2026 11:18:43 GMT 643621 According to Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) estimates published on April 20th, based on State Revenue Service data, 10.5 thousand Ukrainian citizens having the status of temporary protection in Latvia were registered as employees at the beginning of 2026, and compared with the beginning of 2025, the number increased by 1.2 thousand. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/17.04.2026-gender-pay-gap-at-168-in-latvia.a642599/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 17 Apr 2026 11:47:00 GMT 642599 According to provisional Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) data, published April 16, average hourly earnings of women and men still differ, although a downward trend may be observed over a longer period. In 2025, the unadjusted gender pay gap stood at 16.8 %, widening by 2.9 percentage points compared with 2024. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/02.04.2026-shadow-day-involved-23000-pupils-this-year-in-latvia.a641469/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 02 Apr 2026 06:31:11 GMT 641469 23,000 pupils and 2,300 companies participated in this year’s Shadow Day on April 1. Pupils are taking advantage of the opportunity to try out a profession and, perhaps, choose their future career, Latvian Television reported. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/31.03.2026-latvian-labour-costs-at-half-of-eu-average-level.a641236/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 31 Mar 2026 13:20:18 GMT 641236 In 2025, the average hourly labour costs were estimated to be €34.9 in the EU and €38.2 in the euro area, up from €33.5 and €36.8, respectively, in 2024.  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/27.03.2026-men-tend-to-change-jobs-more-often-than-women-in-latvia.a640691/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 27 Mar 2026 07:27:36 GMT 640691 88% of employees have worked in multiple jobs, and men generally change jobs more often than women during their lifetime, according to a public opinion poll conducted by the State Education Development Agency (VIAA). https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/16.03.2026-watch-future-of-work-in-the-age-of-ai-forum.a634810/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 16 Mar 2026 06:46:00 GMT 634810 On March 16th, 2026, the international forum “Future of Work in the Age of AI” is taking place in Rīga, bringing together more than 700 leaders from government, business, the technology sector, academia, and civil society from across the world. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/09.03.2026-10000-signatures-collected-in-three-days-against-reducing-overtime-rates.a638057/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 09 Mar 2026 11:34:05 GMT 638057 The amendments offer the opportunity for employers and employees to agree on a four-day work week, to agree on half pay in collective agreements, as well as the right for an employee to terminate an employment contract if the payment of wages is delayed by more than two weeks. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/06.03.2026-trade-unions-hope-for-presidential-support-on-fair-overtime-rates.a637676/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 06 Mar 2026 07:50:04 GMT 637676 Trade unions are ready to appeal to the President as part of their fight for fair pay for overtime and work on public holidays, Egils Baldzēns, chairman of the Confederation of Free Trade Unions, said in an interview with Latvian Radio. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/04.03.2026-gender-employment-gap-is-smallest-in-finland-and-baltic-states.a637297/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 04 Mar 2026 08:07:11 GMT 637297 Eurostat data show that while men’s employment rate in the European Union stood at 80.8% in 2024, the women’s employment rate was 70.8%, resulting in a gender employment gap of 10.0 percentage points (pp). The gender employment gap is defined as the difference between employment rates of men and women aged 20-64. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/03.03.2026-average-salary-in-2025-at-eur-1815-in-latvia.a636917/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 03 Mar 2026 11:46:00 GMT 636917 Central Statistical Bureau data, published on 3rd March, show that in 2025 the average monthly gross wages and salaries stood at 1,815 euros (in full-time units). https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/03.03.2026-virsi-named-latvias-best-employer-of-2025.a637116/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 03 Mar 2026 07:53:09 GMT 637116 Virši-A was selected as the best employer of 2025, i.e., the company where survey participants would most like to work, according to a release by the platform CVMarket.lv on 3rd March. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/02.03.2026-sweden-and-latvia-lead-the-way-on-women-in-management.a636919/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 02 Mar 2026 12:08:00 GMT 636919 Latvia has maintained its reputation for having a large proportion of women in management positions, and despite losing the leading position in the European Union to Sweden over the span of a decade, it remains a close second. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/27.02.2026-latvias-gender-pay-gap-continues-to-narrow.a635878/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 27 Feb 2026 11:09:00 GMT 635878 Latvia's gender pay gap is smaller than Estonia's (18.8%) but larger than Lithuania's (10.0%) and is slightly above the European Union average, according to Eurostat data for 2024 published on February 27th. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/23.02.2026-latvias-unemployment-rate-stable-at-69-in-2025.a635872/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 23 Feb 2026 11:51:00 GMT 635872 Results from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) conducted by the Latvian Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) show that 883.1 thousand people in Latvia, or 64.5 % of the population aged 15–74, were employed in 2025. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/19.02.2026-young-latvians-quite-likely-to-be-working-in-the-area-they-trained-for.a635379/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 19 Feb 2026 07:46:00 GMT 635379 Interesting data published by Eurostat on February 18th suggest that Latvia leads the way in the European Union when it comes to finding jobs for young people in areas they are actually interested in and trained for. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/17.02.2026-survey-most-latvian-residents-open-to-job-change.a635063/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 17 Feb 2026 11:19:33 GMT 635063 In Latvia, a total of 72% of workers are open to changing jobs, according to a survey by recruitment company Alma Career Latvia. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/17.02.2026-ngo-some-latvian-employers-exploit-ukrainians.a635001/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 17 Feb 2026 07:11:52 GMT 635001 At least several dozen entrepreneurs have reportedly taken advantage of Ukrainian refugees, according to the association "Patvērums "Drošā māja"" (Safe House Shelter), which provides support to those in need, Latvian Television reported on 16th February. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/09.02.2026-latvians-invited-to-apply-for-eu-civil-service-jobs.a633699/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 09 Feb 2026 06:34:02 GMT 633699 The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) has launched a call for applications for the EU Civil Service Administrator (AD5) competition, which offers graduates and experts the opportunity to start a career in the European Union institutions. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/30.01.2026-how-does-latvias-minimum-wage-compare-with-the-rest-of-europe.a632385/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Fri, 30 Jan 2026 10:50:00 GMT 632385 Fresh data published on January 30th gives an idea of how Latvia's minimum wage arrangements stand in relation to its European Union peers. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/28.01.2026-latvia-issued-more-eu-blue-cards-than-the-netherlands.a631964/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 28 Jan 2026 08:56:08 GMT 631964 In 2024, Latvia issued a total of 484 European Union 'Blue Cards' to highly-qualified migrant workers from outside the EU, according to Eurostat data published on January 27th. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/27.01.2026-state-audit-overload-main-culprit-for-lack-of-police-in-latvia.a631725/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 27 Jan 2026 05:46:16 GMT 631725 The main reason for the shortage of police officers in the State Police is no longer remuneration, but rather human resource management and task prioritisation, State Audit concluded in a report on 27th January. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/21.01.2026-survey-young-peoples-career-choices-dont-match-economic-predictions.a630921/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 21 Jan 2026 11:52:24 GMT 630921 The career choices of young Latvians are increasingly moving away from the sectors where investments and jobs will probably be concentrated in the future according to survey data presented today, January 21st, by the Latvian Education Accelerator. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/20.01.2026-latvia-still-has-relatively-few-people-employed-in-rd.a630539/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 21 Jan 2026 08:07:19 GMT 630539 Eurostat data published on January 20th show Latvia has relatively few workers in the important field of Research and Development (R&D) compared with other European Union countries. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/21.01.2026-state-audit-public-administration-salary-inequality-persists-in-latvia.a630854/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 21 Jan 2026 06:43:45 GMT 630854 The State Audit Office (VK) has concluded in its audit, published on 21st January, that remuneration inequality between ministries and state institutions persists. According to the auditors' estimates, employee pay is still determined by historically established base funding rather than by the value of the position and the content of the work. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/20.01.2026-unemployment-slightly-up-in-december-in-latvia.a630541/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 20 Jan 2026 11:33:16 GMT 630541 Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) estimates published on January 20th show that the unemployment rate in Latvia was 7.1 % in December 2025. It increased by 0.2 percentage points month-on-month but did not change year-on-year. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/19.01.2026-about-1-in-5-latvian-students-is-also-working.a630604/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 19 Jan 2026 14:20:00 GMT 630604 Around one in five Latvian students also holds down a job, according to Eurostat data published on January 19th. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/08.01.2026-foreign-investors-in-latvia-call-for-serious-investment-in-human-capital.a628904/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Thu, 08 Jan 2026 07:30:54 GMT 628904 The Foreign Investors Council in Latvia (FICIL), an influential business lobby, said on January 7th it was a "sad reality" that human capital development is not a priority in Latvia. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/06.01.2026-riga-conference-to-consider-ai-in-the-workplace.a628753/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 06 Jan 2026 10:11:54 GMT 628753 On March 16th, Rīga will host an international forum titled “Future of Work in the Age of AI”, bringing together more than 600 participants and over 60 speakers from more than 20 countries. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/22.12.2025-ltv-reports-on-allegations-of-toxic-work-environment-at-latvian-railways.a627506/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 22 Dec 2025 17:21:13 GMT 627506 The work atmosphere at national rail company Latvijas dzelzceļš (Latvian Railways/LDz) leaves a lot to be desired, if reports from Latvian Television's De Facto investigative show are accurate. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/17.12.2025-police-start-looking-into-doctors-impossible-workloads-in-latvia.a626743/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 17 Dec 2025 05:33:17 GMT 626743 Following the State Audit Office's autumn report on the organisation of inpatient healthcare, the State Police has initiated criminal proceedings under two articles of the Criminal Law – for possible fraud and document forgery, as confirmed by the police to Latvian Television (LTV). LTV does not yet know which healthcare institution this occurred at.  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/10.12.2025-shortage-of-tech-talent-threatens-growth-prospects.a625802/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 10 Dec 2025 09:36:49 GMT 625802 Amidst digital transformation and growing cyber threats in Latvia and Europe, a significant problem is becoming increasingly apparent – a shortage of cybersecurity specialists and the necessary skills, acording to Alise Gurenko, co-creator and Startup Program Director at Riga TechGirls.  https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/09.12.2025-latvian-employment-figures-show-some-positive-trends.a625690/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:43:07 GMT 625690 Central Statistical Bureau data published on December 9th show that in the third quarter (Q3) of 2025, the Latvian labour market had 19.2 thousand job vacancies, of which,10.8 thousand jobs were vacant in the private sector and 8.4 thousand in the public sector. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/01.12.2025-latvias-average-monthly-wage-rises-to-more-than-1800-euros.a624487/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 01 Dec 2025 11:14:00 GMT 624487 In the third quarter of 2025, the average gross salary in Latvia was 1,835 euros, according to data from the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) published on December 1st.   https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/01.12.2025-remote-work-will-not-lose-popularity-in-latvia-experts-predict.a624453/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Mon, 01 Dec 2025 06:05:08 GMT 624453 In the third quarter of 2025, 10.2% of employees worked remotely or partially remotely, according to data from the Central Statistical Bureau, 3.2 percentage points less than in the second quarter of the year, when 13.4% of employees worked remotely, Latvian Radio reports on 1 December. https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/employment/26.11.2025-latvia-better-than-eu-average-on-very-low-work-intensity.a623871/?utm_source=rss&utm_campaign=rss&utm_medium=links Wed, 26 Nov 2025 10:48:42 GMT 623871 In 2024, 7.9% of people younger than 65 in the EU lived in households classed as having very low work intensity, according to figures published on November 26th by Eurostat.