In the second quarter of 2025, employment, unemployment, and labor force indicators all declined compared to the same period a year earlier, reflecting the strong population contraction more than developments in the labor market.
According to data from the Quarterly Labor Force Survey, the number of employed people over 15 years old reached 1,171,084 people in the second quarter of 2025, shrinking by about 10,872 individuals compared to the same period last year, which corresponds to a decrease of 0.9%.
This decline was mainly reflected in young people aged 15–29, where the number of employed people was reduced by over 11 thousand people, as well as in the age group 30–64, where the contraction was over 7 thousand individuals.
Overall, the number of unemployed people over 15 years old remained almost unchanged, decreasing by only 311 people, while the highest rate of decline was again recorded among young people aged 15–29, with a contraction of 5.6%. On the other hand, the age group 30–64 years old saw a slight increase in the number of unemployed people, signaling new challenges in the labor market for this category.
The inactive population over 15 years old also marked a slight decrease of around 5,400 people, indicating a small shift of the working-age population towards the need for employment.
Also, the labor force, which includes employed and unemployed workers, shrank by 11,183 people compared to a year earlier, with an annual decrease of 1%.
Within this group, young people aged 15–29 had the strongest decline, with over 22 thousand fewer individuals, while the 30–64 age group saw an increase of 2,703 people, indicating that the younger age group is shrinking and employment participation is shifting towards older ages.
Overall, the data signals a weakening of the labor market during 2025, due to the shrinking population and especially the younger age groups.
After the census, the country's population shrank by another 39,000 people by the beginning of 2025, mostly young people. The country's population is shrinking rapidly due to higher emigration and lower birth rates.
The remaining population has changed its structure in favor of older ages. Thus, employment and unemployment indicators are being influenced more by demographic developments than by real market forces./Monitor
