RIGA, Dec 12 (LETA) - The Central Statistical Bureau data show that in the first quarter of 2024 there were 22,900 job vacancies in Latvia, which is 2,600 vacancies or 10.3 percent fewer than in the third quarter of 2023.

In private sector there were 12,200 and in public sector 10,700 vacant jobs. Over the year, the number of job vacancies in private sector fell by 2,200 or 15.6 percent and in public sector by 400 or 3.3 percent.

Out of all jobs available in Latvia (both occupied and vacant), 2.5 percent positions were vacant, of which 3.6 percent in public and 2 percent in private sector.

Compared to third quarter of 2023, in the third quarter of 2024 the average number of occupied posts in the country went down by 2,400 or 0.3 percent. In private sector it dropped by 2,900 or 0.5 percent and in public grew by 500 or 0.2 percent.

In terms of major occupational groups, the largest share of job vacancies was recorded among technicians and associate professionals (4.2 percent), elementary occupations (2.9 percent), as well as craft and related trades workers (2.8 percent).

In the context of economic activities, the greatest proportion of job vacancies was recorded in public administration (8 percent), followed by administrative and support service activities (3.2 percent), as well as information and communication (3 percent).

Regional breakdown of the third quarter data shows the largest share of vacant jobs in Riga (3.4 percent or 16,700) and the smallest in Kurzeme and Latgale (1.1 percent or 1000 and 1.1 percent or 700, respectively). In Zemgale region 1.3 percent of jobs or 900 positions were vacant and in Vidzeme 1.2 percent or 700.

Among the three Baltic states, the greatest proportion of job vacancies was recorded in Latvia - 2.5 percent - followed by Lithuania with 2.1 percent and Estonia with 1.6 percent. Over the year, number of vacant jobs in Lithuania grew by 6 percent while in Latvia and Estonia reduced by 10.3 percent and 17.7 percent, respectively.