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In the 2^nd quarter of 2017, 86.6 thousand people aged 15–74 were unemployed, which is 7.9 thousand fewer than a year ago and 4.7 thousand fewer than in the previous quarter.

The Latvian unemployment rate exceeds the European Union (EU) average indicator (except for the 1^st quarter of 2015 when both rates were equal). In the 1^st quarter of 2017, Latvian unemployment rate (9.4%) was 1.1 percentage points above the EU average (8.3%). In the 2^nd quarter of 2017, Latvian unemployment rate still was the highest among the Baltic states (7.0% in Estonia and Lithuania).

Long-term unemployed persons

In the 2^nd quarter of 2017, the share of long-term unemployed persons, i.e., those who have been without work for 12 months or longer, in the total number of unemployed persons declined by 0.7 percentage points – from 40.3% in the 2^nd quarter of 2016 to 39.6% in the 2^nd quarter of 2017.  Over the year, the number of long-term unemployed persons reduced by 4.0 thousand, and in the 2^nd quarter of 2017 it constituted 34.0 thousand.

Youth unemployment

In the 2^nd quarter of 2017, the youth unemployment rate constituted 16.5%, which is 2.4 percentage points lower than a year ago and 0.8 percentage points lower than in the 1^st quarter of 2017.  Over the year, the number of young unemployed persons reduced by 1.9 thousand, and, compared to the 1^st quarter of 2017, it went up by 1.0 thousand.

In the 2^nd quarter of 2017, out of the total number of unemployed persons, 12.8 thousand or 14.7% were young people aged 15–24.  Their share in the total number of unemployed persons fell by 0.9 percentage points, whereas, compared to the 1^st quarter of 2017, the indicator increased by 1.8 percentage points.

In the 2^nd quarter, 42.9% of all young people were active, i.e., employed or actively seeking a job (unemployed), while 57.1% of young people were inactive (mainly studying and not seeking a job).

Inactive population

In the 2^nd quarter of 2017, 31.4% or 447.1 thousand people aged 15–74 were inactive. i.e., were neither employed nor actively seeking a job. Compared to the 1^st quarter of 2017, the inactive population declined by 11.1 thousand or 2.4%.

In the 2^nd quarter, 16.3 thousand people or 3.7% of the inactive population were discouraged to find a job (in the 2^nd quarter of 2016 the indicator constituted 4.3% and in the 1^st quarter of 2017 – 4.4%).

In the 2^nd quarter of 2017, the Labour Force Survey covered 4.1 thousand households, in which 7.6 thousand persons aged 15–74 were interviewed.

More employment statistics is available in the CSB database section Employment and Unemployment – Key Indicators. Results of the Labour Force Survey are published in the CSB database section Employment and Unemployment.