Compared with the outcome of previous months, the data for March 2017 indicates a somewhat improved labour market, with a larger increase in the number of employed persons and a larger decrease in the number of unemployed persons. To conclude whether the positive development is persistent, additional measurements are required.

In March 2017, the number of employed persons aged 15-74 was 4 963 000, not seasonally adjusted. This was an increase of 131 000 compared with March 2016. The number of employed men increased by 74 000 and amounted to 2 573 000, while the number of employed women increased by 57 000 and amounted to 2 390 000. The employment rate increased by 1.0 percentage points and amounted to 67.2 percent. Among men, the employment rate increased by 1.1 percentage points and amounted to 68.6 percent, while among women it increased by 1.0 percentage points and amounted to 65.8 percent. Smoothed and seasonally adjusted data shows a continued increase both in the number of employed persons and in the employment rate. The number of employed persons was 4 998 000, which corresponds to an employment rate of 67.7 percent.

The number of employees aged 15-74 in March 2017 amounted to 4 460 000, not seasonally adjusted. Compared with March 2016, this was an increase of 131 000, of whom 67 000 were men and 64 000 were women. The number of permanent employees in the same period amounted to 3 732 000. Compared with March 2016, this was an increase of 82 000, of whom 50 000 were men. The number of temporary employees amounted to 728 000, an increase of 49 000 compared with March 2016. Compared with nearby months, smoothed and seasonally adjusted data shows an increase both in the number of permanent and temporary employees.

On average, the number of hours worked in March 2017 amounted to 164.3 million per week, not seasonally adjusted. According to calendar adjusted data, there was an increase of 2.6 percent compared with March 2016. Smoothed and seasonally adjusted data shows an increase in the number of hours worked per week. In March 2017, smoothed and seasonally adjusted data amounted to 152.8 million hours worked per week.

In March 2017, the number of unemployed persons aged 15-74 decreased by 44 000 and amounted to 362 000, not seasonally adjusted. The unemployment rate amounted to 6.8 percent, a decrease by 0.9 percentage points. The number of unemployed men amounted to 200 000, a decrease of 34 000. The number of unemployed women amounted to 162 000. The unemployment rate among men decreased by 1.3 percentage points and amounted to 7.2 percent and among women it was 6.4 percent. The number of unemployed young people aged 15-24 was 122 000, a decrease of 22 000 compared with March 2016. Among the unemployed young people, 77 000 were full-time students. The unemployment rate among young people was 20.3 percent. Among people aged 15-74, smoothed and seasonally adjusted data showed a decrease in both the number of unemployed persons and in the unemployment rate. The number of unemployed persons was 354 000, which corresponds to an unemployment rate of 6.6 percent. Among young people aged 15-24, smoothed and seasonally adjusted data showed a decrease in both the number of unemployed persons and in the unemployment rate. The number of young people who were unemployed was 113 000, which corresponds to an unemployment rate of 17.8 percent.

2017-05-23 at 9:30.