Tuesday, 13 January 2026
Unemployment in the Czech Republic increased at the end of 2025, rising to 4.8% in December from 4.6% in November, according to new data released by the Labour Office of the Czech Republic. Compared with December 2024, the unemployment rate was 0.7 percentage points higher.
Economists said the month-on-month rise was broadly expected and largely reflects seasonal developments typical for the winter period.
A total of 354,314 people were registered as unemployed in December, roughly 13,000 more than in November and around 48,000 more than a year earlier. At the same time, the number of job vacancies declined by approximately 3,200, falling to 87,422 positions nationwide.
According to analysts, the December rise in unemployment follows long-standing seasonal patterns. Hiring activity usually weakens at the end of the year, while temporary and outdoor jobs—particularly in construction and some service industries—are reduced during the winter months.
Economists also noted that although unemployment rose compared with November, the increase was smaller than in December 2024 and remained below the long-term December average. This, they said, may signal early signs of labour market stabilisation as economic activity gradually improves. So far, however, the recovery appears to be reflected more in fewer layoffs than in a strong expansion of new job creation.
For 2025 as a whole, the average unemployment rate reached 4.4%, up from 3.8% in 2024. Analysts expect a slight further increase in early 2026, with unemployment likely peaking in January before easing gradually in the following months as seasonal effects fade.
Regional disparities in unemployment remained pronounced. The Ústí Region recorded the highest unemployment rate in December at 7.1%, while Prague continued to report the lowest level, at 3.6%. Economists note that such differences are structural and long-standing, driven by the uneven distribution of jobs and housing affordability. Regions with stronger labour demand often face higher living and housing costs, limiting labour mobility.
Data from employment offices also highlight differences by age group. Applicants aged over 50 tended to remain unemployed for the longest periods, with nearly half registered for more than a year. In contrast, younger jobseekers under 29 years of age typically returned to work more quickly, with fewer than one in five remaining unemployed for longer than twelve months.
Labour market specialists stress that, in the context of an ageing population, employers cannot afford to overlook older workers. Better use of their experience and adjustments to working conditions could help reduce long-term unemployment while easing labour shortages across the economy.
Overall, the December figures suggest that while unemployment rose toward the end of the year, the increase was largely seasonal and does not yet indicate a significant deterioration in labour market conditions.
