Analytics, Employment, Labour-market, Latvia

She said that according to March 2 preliminary data, the registered unemployment level in Latvia was 9.1% of the total economically-active population, which is 0.1% more than in January. This means that there are currently 87,000 jobseekers in Latvia, of which about one-third have been trying to find a job for at least a year.

Kalvane added that there are places in Latvia where labor force has a low opinion of its competitive capacity, which is why people are ready to work for lower wages. Meanwhile, those who are confident about their professional skills are often unsatisfied with the salaries they are offered.

The agency's head mentioned several problems in the Latvian labor market: insufficient number of job vacancies, insufficient competence and skills, and limited mobility of labor force. She also mentioned poor health and addictions.

Kalvane concluded that she expects no major changes in Latvia's labor market in the near future.

As reported, according to the Economy Ministry's report on the macroeconomic situation in Latvia, a slight increase in the number of employed persons is expected this year – it could increase just 0.5% or by 4,800 persons as compared to 2014. The total number of employed persons could reach 889,000 in 2015.