At the beginning of 2022, the permanent resident population of Lithuania was 2 802 8612 (provisional data). On 1 March 2022, the number of registered unemployed in the country was 174 100 or 10% of the country’s working age population. Compared to 1 March 2021, the share of the unemployed among the working age population decreased by 6.1 percentage points.
The share of the unemployed among the working age population fell in 46 out of 60 municipalities. Unemployment rose in four municipalities, and was stable in ten.
The labour demand has increased, albeit slightly, and is likely to keep growing as the Spring season begins. The number of registered unemployed persons is decreasing. In February, the number of unemployed people contacting the Employment Service was the lowest since July. Fewer unemployed people were registered in February for all age groups.
Despite these positive developments, a number of challenges remain. Although the number of the long-term unemployed has been falling steadily since the middle of last year, it is still twice as high as at the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Unemployment among the group of persons aged over 50 also remains a challenge; unlike for other age groups, it has increased since the beginning of the year, with a rise of 0.3 percentage points. Uncertainties abound regarding the possible impact of geopolitical tensions on the labour market.
Links:
The Employment Service under the Ministry of Social Security and Labour of the Republic of Lithuania
www.uzt.lt