Labor Market Shows Mixed Signals in July
The Lithuanian labor market experienced mixed developments in July, with increased job searches and employment, but also a slight rise in registered unemployment.
According to the Employment Service, job vacancies surged in various sectors compared to June, with notable increases in manufacturing, agriculture, construction, transport and storage, healthcare, and social work. The education and professional, scientific, and technical activities sectors also saw a significant rise in vacancies.
The month also saw a notable increase in new hires, with 17,000 people finding new jobs in July. This represents a 3.5% increase from the previous month. Employment growth was observed in 39 out of 60 municipalities across the country.
The sectors with the highest employment levels were construction, agriculture, healthcare and social work, administrative and service activities, information and communication, and manufacturing.
Despite the increased demand for workers, unemployment slightly climbed in July, reaching 8.6%. This slight rise was attributed to seasonal fluctuations in the labor market.
Registered unemployment increased by 0.1 percentage points to 1.2% in August, with 1,800 more people out of work compared to the previous month. The increase in registered unemployment was recorded in 23 out of 60 municipalities, with the highest rates observed in Lazdijai district, Kaunas, Mažeikiai district, Klaipėda, and Neringa municipalities.