Unemployment rate in Estonia

The unemployment rate is the share of jobless people in Estonia's total labour force. Compiled by Statistics Estonia, it is the main gauge of the labour market and of the economy's ability to create jobs.

Based on the Labour Force Survey of a sample of households, following international ILO criteria. A person is counted as unemployed if they are without work, available to work and actively seeking a job. It is typically released quarterly.

It reflects the momentum of the Estonian economy and the health of its labour market. A strong labour market supports consumption and household income; as a euro-area member, its monetary policy anchor is the ECB.

It is worth distinguishing whether the rate moves on changes in labour demand or on factors such as shifts in the labour force or emigration. As a survey figure in a small country, it is subject to sampling error, seasonality and revisions.