Sunday, 24 August 2025
Employment in the Czech Republic grew modestly in the second quarter of 2025, while unemployment also edged higher, according to data from the Labour Force Sample Survey published by the Czech Statistical Office (CZSO).
The number of employed persons increased by 76,200 year-on-year, reaching 5.24 million, a rise of 1.5%. This growth was driven mainly by women, with female employment up by 122,600 compared with a decline of 46,500 among men. The most notable increases were recorded in the 60+ age group, which rose by 9.4%, and in the youngest category of 15–24 years, which grew by 4.2%. By contrast, the 30–44 age group saw a decline of 1.1%.
Employment gains were concentrated in the service sector, which expanded by 88,000 year-on-year to more than 3.28 million. The strongest growth occurred in arts, entertainment and recreation (+24.3%), other services (+11.3%), and information and communication (+9.1%). Manufacturing and construction recorded slight declines, while employment in agriculture also contracted. Over the past five years, services have added nearly 285,000 jobs, particularly in public administration, defence, and education.
The number of employees increased by 75,900 to 4.43 million, while the self-employed remained largely unchanged at around 805,000. Men still accounted for two-thirds of the self-employed, mainly in construction, trade, and manufacturing, while women were more active in professional and service-related activities.
The employment rate for those aged 15–64 rose to 75.7%, up 0.4 percentage points year-on-year. However, the male employment rate fell by 0.9 points to 80.1%, while the female rate increased by 1.9 points to 71.2%. Part-time work also expanded, reaching 500,000 workers, or 5.1% more than a year earlier, with women accounting for over 70% of these jobs.
Unemployment also grew. The number of jobless persons rose by 12,000 year-on-year to 146,100, while the seasonally adjusted average increased by 13,500 compared with the first quarter. The general unemployment rate in the 15–64 age group reached 2.8%, up 0.2 points year-on-year. Women accounted for the largest share of the increase, particularly in the 30–44 age group, while unemployment among men was most common in the 45–59 age range.
Long-term unemployment also edged higher, rising to 44,800, an increase of 4,900 from last year. The most significant increase was recorded among people aged 60 and above. Regionally, the highest unemployment was reported in Ústecký (4.8%) and Moravskoslezský (4.6%), while the lowest was in Prague and Central Bohemia (both 1.5%).
Economic inactivity fell year-on-year by 42,900 to 3.46 million. This decline was driven by women, whose inactivity rate dropped significantly, while the number of economically inactive men rose by nearly 50,000. The survey also found that around 83,000 people were not actively seeking work but expressed a willingness to take a job, though only a small portion would be able to start immediately.
The CZSO noted that demographic changes, shifting labour market participation among older workers and women, and continued structural transformations in the economy are shaping employment trends. Despite modest employment growth, pressures from rising unemployment and regional disparities remain evident.
Source: CZSO
