Unemployment in the Czech Republic rose to 4.3 %. The Labour Office succeeds in intensive use of active employment policy instruments

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As of 31 January 2025, the Labour Office of the Czech Republic registered a total of 320 516 job seekers, 14 038 more than in December 2024. The share of unemployed rose to 4.3 % at the end of January (an increase of 0.2 percentage point). In the year-on-year comparison, the share of unemployed was 0.3 percentage point higher, i.e. 24 970 more jobseekers. The positive trend of a significant increase in the intensity of active employment policy, including retraining, continues, with the Labour Office managing to support 165 % more people with these instruments in January than in January 2024.

With regard to the new data warehouse of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Czech Republic, the Labour Office of the Czech Republic presents monthly unemployment statistics in a new format. All data documents can be found in one place at  https://data.mpsv.cz/portal, the data will be published during the afternoon. This data will be continuously expanded.

"After many years, we are changing the shape of unemployment statistics. They will now be available in one place, clearly online. The new statistics also offer cross-sectional characteristics of different socio-demographic groups in terms of their participation in the labour market. Thanks to these data, we will, for example, know much better and more accurately who is actually at risk of long-term unemployment in the Czech Republic, which is a fundamentally important parameter. And we will then be able to help these vulnerable groups more easily and effectively," explains the Director General of the Labour Office of the Czech Republic Daniel Kristof. It stresses that the new online interface on the https://data.mpsv.cz/portal anyone will be able to retrieve the necessary data in JSON or CSV formats and view them in the visual form of various charts and tables. Any interested parties will be able to prepare their own analyses.

	01/2025	12/2024	01/2024	01/2023
Share of unemployed persons in the Czech Republic	4.3 %	4.1 %	4.0 %	3.9 %
Number of jobseekers	320 516	306 478	295 546	283 059
Number of vacancies	83 323	246 573	266 783	281 141

"During January 2025, we witnessed fairly stable demand from companies on the largest Czech job portals Jobs.cz and Prace.cz, which noticeably revived after the traditionally seasonally weaker December, when recruitment is usually subdued due to Christmas and holidays. When compared to January last year, we can see only a very slight decline in employer demand (by ~1.2 %), with last year and the year before seeing slightly faster year-on-year declines compared to the record demand seen in 2022. On the other hand, there has been a fairly clear upward trend in candidate activity in recent months: in January, a total of 173,161 candidates sent their CVs at least once via the major job portals for the positions being filled, with a total of nearly 760,000 responses/CVs - in both cases an increase of almost 8 % year-on-year." reported by Tomáš Ervín Dombrovský, labour market analyst at Alma Career Czechia. In spite of this, from the employers' point of view, the labour market is still characterised by a number of fields, professions and specializations in which the newly opened positions are very difficult to fill due to the insufficient number of available candidates with the appropriate qualifications. "A paradoxical situation is beginning to emerge whereby, while the number of people who have to (or want to) change employers is gradually increasing, the number and proportion of positions that companies are unable to fill in the long term is also increasing. Due to the gradual ageing of the Czech employed population and the weak population of current graduates, this phenomenon will continue to intensify - and this is one of the reasons why the importance of lifelong learning for employees, continuous updating of their qualifications or overall retraining will continue to grow." emphasizes Tomas Ervin Dombrovsky.

In January 2025, the Czech Labour Office (ÚP ČR) recorded 50 480 people newly registered. Compared to the previous period, there has been a significant decrease in the number of vacancies. This was fully reflected in legislative regulation in the form of an amendment to the Employment Act, where unfilled vacancies are automatically removed from the database after six months. Details of this change can be found at: https://www.mpsv.cz/web/cz/-/nova-pravidla-pro-zamestnavatele-volna-mista-v-evidenci

Unemployment from a regional perspective

In the regional comparison, the share of unemployed persons increased month-on-month in all regions except Prague. In absolute terms, the South Bohemian, South Moravian and Moravian-Silesian regions added the most jobseekers in January 2025 compared to December 2024. In terms of year-on-year comparison, the share of unemployed persons increased the most in the Liberec Region (by 0.6 percentage point), followed by the Zlín Region, the Vysočina Region and the Moravian-Silesian Region (by 0.5 percentage point). Only one region recorded a year-on-year decrease in the share of unemployed, namely the Capital City of Moravia and the Moravian Region. Prague, while in the other 13 regions the Labour Office of the Czech Republic recorded a year-on-year increase.

As far as unemployment in individual districts is concerned, in January the highest share of unemployed persons was in the districts of Most, Karviná and Bruntál - all over 8 %. On the other hand, the Labour Office of the Czech Republic recorded minimal unemployment below 3 % in the districts of Prague - East and Prague - West, Rychnov nad Kněžnou, Pelhřimov, Benešov, Zlín, Mladá Boleslav and the whole capital city of Prague. Looking at the trends, the share of unemployed persons in the districts of Znojmo (by 0.7 p.p.), Český Krumlov, Jeseník, Jindřichův Hradec and Prachatice (all by 0.6 p.p.) increased the most month-on-month. On the other hand, Brno, Mladá Boleslav, Prague, Sokolov and Teplice maintained the same share of unemployed persons. The highest year-on-year increase in unemployment in January was recorded in the districts of Most, Česká Lípa, Vsetín, Český Krumlov, Prostějov, Jihlava, Ostrava and Vyškov. On the contrary, the districts of Nymburk, Mělník and the whole of Prague recorded a decrease compared to January 2024.

Movements in unemployment records

During the month of January, the Labour Office of the Czech Republic 50 480 people have newly registered, of which 38 % have done so independently online, having taken advantage of the new opportunity to register using the Jenda Client Zone. This service available on https://jenda.mpsv.cz/allows you to apply for job placement and unemployment benefits at any time, regardless of office hours, and from anywhere, even from the comfort of your own home. This is an increase of 11 843 people month-on-month and a decrease of 2495 people year-on-year. In terms of districts, the largest number of newly unemployed entered the registration of the Office of the Czech Republic in Prague (4,621) and the smallest number in the Rokycany district (211). About job placement and inclusion in the register Currently, people who come from e.g. retail, civil engineering, wholesale trade, public administration and defence, education and metal construction are mainly applying for the CRP.

From the records of the ÚP ČR left in January 35 628 applicants, i.e. 13,044 more than in the previous month and 1,028 fewer than in January 2024. 27 810 people started a new job. Many of them have found employment in retail, education, wholesale, public administration, healthcare or metal construction.

Candidates are on the register for an average of 469 days

Over the last 12 months, the structure of jobseekers according to the length of time they have been registered with the Office of the Labour Office of the Czech Republic has changed. Year-on-year comparison the proportion of those who have been out of work for less than three months has fallen, on the total number of unemployed by 3.6 p. p. to 33.2 %. This is a total of 106 287 persons. Conversely, the share of jobseekers who have been registered for more than 12 months increased by 2.3 percentage points to 30.7 (98 386 persons). Average length of registration in January compared to December 2024 decreased by 15 days to 469 days.

Active employment policy: the Labour Office supported almost three times as many people in January compared to last year

The ÚP of the Czech Republic pays increased attention to all groups of applicants and candidates at risk of long-term unemployment. Through active employment policy (AEP) instruments, the Labour Office of the Czech Republic supported a total of 15 586 jobseekers and jobseeker applicants (this is the total number of all jobseekers or jobseeker applicants who were using any AAL tool at the end of January 2025). Last year, in the same period, the Labour Office supported a total of 5,686 people under all ALMP instruments, an increase of 165 %.

For example, at the end of December, there were people working as part of community service (VPP) 266 people. A new tool currently being piloted by the Labour Office of the Czech Republic is integration workplace. This tool, which is targeted at people with cumulative social disabilities and which includes other individual social support for the employed person in addition to employment, was used by the end of January 2025 by 62 persons. Employment 4975 people were supported with funding under the Dedicated Socially Useful Jobs (SUMP). For 18 employers have created completely new jobs, under which the ÚP ČR contributes to their equipment (SÚPM). 570 former jobseekers were in private business at the end of January 2025 with support obtained through the SUTP. The regional mobility allowance also helps in the return to the labour market. By the end of January 2025, the ÚP supported 583 people. The ÚP also pays increased attention to persons with disabilities (PWD), who are also provided with employment support allowances. At the end of January, the following were supported in this way 304 OZP. An important retraining is a tool of the APZwhich the Labour Office of the Czech Republic uses to financially assist not only job seekers but also job applicants, i.e. those who have a job. As of 31 January 2025, the following people were participating 5488 persons (as of 31.1.2024 it was 2426 people, i.e. 126 % more year-on-year).

Special projects for the elderly and the young and educational courses

The Labour Office, with the support of EU funds and the state budget of the Czech Republic, implements special projects to support the employment of specific age groups. Project Age is not a barrier focuses on people aged 55 and over, who are helped by the experts of the Labour Office to return to the labour market, offering them training and retraining courses in various fields, providing counselling, etc. Other projects are the Youth Guarantees targeting women and men under 30 and the New Stage project covering the 30-54 age group.

Especially among the older population, the Job Centre focuses on supporting the development of digital literacy and cyber security by offering a wide range of courses, even for complete beginners. In pursuit of these objectives, it seeks to establish partnerships with institutions that support public education. One such partner is the network of libraries across the country, where they collaborate to publish information about our projects and provide help and support to their patrons. Looking closely at trends in applications for subsidised educational courses, the following remain popular retraining in accounting and Czech language courses for foreigners, while interest in e.g. real estate work is declining compared to 2024. Digital training courses in all areas are becoming increasingly popular. Even though they are delivered outside the existing retraining system and there is a financial contribution from the applicant. They focus on the development of IT and Industry 4.0 skills. Accounting retraining and Czech language courses for foreigners remain popular, while interest in e.g. real estate work is declining compared to 2024.

Courses are becoming increasingly popular digital educationwhich are implemented outside the existing retraining system and focus on the development of IT and Industry 4.0 skills. In January 2025, the number of applications increased more than sixfold year-on-year. Artificial Intelligence is clearly the most in-demand topic, with these courses taking 9 of the top 10 spots by number of applications.

Less than 30 % registered claimants receive unemployment benefits

Unemployment benefits were received in January 2025 by a total of 97 450 people, which represents 30.4 % of all jobseekers (December 2024 - 30.5 %, January 2024 - 33.9 %). The number of jobseekers eligible for unemployment benefits decreased by 2,692 persons year-on-year. In January 2025, the ÚP paid out a total of CZK 1 167 230 thousand in unemployment benefits and retraining. In December 2024, the total amount was CZK 1 054 989 thousand.

Most employers are looking for workers in Prague and Central Bohemia

By the end of January 2025, employers offered a total of 83 323 vacancies, 163,250 less than in December 2024 and 183,460 less than a year ago. There are currently about 3.8 job seekers per vacancy in the Czech Republic. Of these, most were in the districts of Karviná (28.2), Sokolov (16.9), Děčín (15.5), Hodonín (15.2), Bruntál (13.3). At 72.3 % of the reported vacancies, employers are looking for candidates with primary or lower education, 68.6 % then create vacancies suitable for foreigners. Employers have according to the records of the Labour Office of the Czech Republic most often interested building construction workers, forklift truck operators and warehouse workers, assembly workers, cooks, truck and tractor-trailer drivers or cleaners. Highest demand the demand for new employees is in Prague (21,225 jobs) and in the Central Bohemian Region (14,833 jobs).

Probe: Overview of the number of filled positions by industry for January 2025 (on jobs.cz, prace.cz and the Jobs around the corner app)):

Fields*	Positions occupied**	average number of responses per 1 position***	salary published for % positions	wage offered in average OD	wage offered on average DO
Sales and trade	12 870	15,5	55 %	38 032	52 557
Production and industry	7833	9,2	35 %	38 289	48 015
Administration	7431	19,0	40 %	35 131	46 425
Transport, logistics and supply	5670	16,7	40 %	35 443	43 729
Engineering	5485	6,4	35 %	39 916	50 750
Handicraft and manual work	4677	11,2	48 %	33 057	39 992
Construction and real estate	4480	7,1	40 %	45 481	62 886
Banking and financial services	4443	6,7	33 %	43 861	67 357
Electrical engineering and power engineering	4017	4,2	32 %	42 008	55 940
Customer service	3703	17,6	57 %	36 506	49 881
Health and social care	3534	5,9	56 %	34 563	41 702
Economics and corporate finance	3520	9,8	25 %	46 109	62 174
Services	3005	17,5	57 %	34 197	43 990
Technology and development	2983	4,3	30 %	45 327	60 102
Car - moto	2665	10,1	45 %	38 129	51 445
Grocery	2522	13,4	69 %	34 993	39 990
IS/IT: Consulting, analysis and project management	2384	9,0	15 %	54 939	75 670
IS/IT: Application and system development	2244	8,5	16 %	58 628	82 396
IS/IT: Systems and HW administration	2060	8,8	16 %	49 752	68 057
Insurance	1872	5,2	29 %	43 766	73 456
Gastronomy and hospitality	1688	20,5	59 %	34 327	41 114
Marketing	1551	17,9	33 %	39 656	57 616
Quality and quality control	1193	8,0	30 %	40 648	50 425
Personnel and HR	1137	18,7	27 %	36 125	46 423
Telecommunications	949	11,5	64 %	45 594	72 806
Education and schooling	929	9,7	43 %	29 430	34 849
Purchase	872	12,1	30 %	43 287	56 134
Tourism and accommodation	801	21,9	41 %	35 591	43 605
State and public administration	706	9,6	46 %	31 613	42 728
Media, advertising and PR	671	20,3	26 %	36 433	48 835
Top management	645	14,8	31 %	72 766	94 245
Chemical industry	639	7,6	27 %	37 521	45 793
Agriculture, forestry and ecology	599	7,8	39 %	32 985	42 151
Security and safety	599	9,6	33 %	36 065	44 998
Pharmacy	509	10,4	23 %	42 214	54 901
Legal services	438	7,7	24 %	39 201	51 428
Science and research	360	5,5	23 %	39 629	53 488
Publishing, printing and printing	267	15,4	27 %	32 719	43 340
Culture, arts and creative work	251	17,7	41 %	34 898	51 299

Current unemployment statistics in the Czech Republic are available here: https://data.mpsv.cz/portal. Data can also be downloaded in csv and json format.

ÚPČR/ gnews - RoZ

PHOTO - gnews