Analytics, Employment, Estonia, Financial Services, Labour-market

While the number of registered unemployed remained the same in July as the month before, the number of unemployed increased approximately 10% compared to the same time the year before. This is due to a work ability reform, during which the number of registered unemployed with reduced work capacity has doubled, making up 29% of the registered unemployed in July. When only looking at persons with full work capacity, the number of registered unemployed in July was approximately 7% lower than the year before, the Unemployment Insurance Fund said.

The rate of registered unemployment remained the highest in East-Viru County with 10% and in Valga County with 8.3%. Unemployment was lowest in Harju County with 3.4% and in Saare County with 3.5%. Unskilled workers made up the biggest part of the registered jobless who had previously worked, accounting for 23% of the total, ahead of service and sales personnel at 18% and skilled workers and craftsmen at 17%.

During the month 3,894 new offers were added to the job offers available via the Unemployment Insurance Fund, 18% less than in June and 11% less than in July 2016. The Unemployment Insurance Fund had a total of 9,866 jobs on offer during the month. The biggest part of jobs on offer were for skilled workers and craftsmen with 24%, service and sales personnel with 23%, and unskilled workers with 22% of all jobs.

During the month 3,269 people, including 653 persons with limited capacity for work, found employment or started business with the help of the Unemployment Insurance Fund.

Recipients of the unemployment insurance benefit numbered 9,461 in July, making up 28% of the registered jobless. The average benefit per calendar month was 441 euros and the sum total disbursed surpassed 3.5 million euros. The basic unemployment allowance of 151 euros a month was paid to 6,846 persons, 20% of the total number of registered jobless.

The redundancy benefit was paid to 493 people in July and the average size of the benefit awarded in that month was 1,670 euros. The sum total paid out in redundancy benefits was more than 964,000 euros.

The benefit in case of insolvency of the employer was awarded to 107 persons. The average size of the benefit was 2,024 euros and overall more than 296,000 euros was disbursed under that item.