The figures in this statistical news release are based on collected data that contains quality deficiencies. Revised LFS figures have been published and are available here:

Labour Force Surveys

In December 2018, there were 5 099 000 employed persons aged 15─74, not seasonally adjusted, which was an increase of 94 000 compared with December 2017. The number of employed women increased by 68 000 to 2 437 000 and number of employed men amounted to 2 662 000. The employment rate increased by 0.8 percentage points to 68.1 percent. Among women, the employment rate increased by 1.4 percent to 66.2 percent and among men, it amounted to 69.9 percent. Smoothed and seasonally adjusted data shows an increase in the number of employed persons and in the employment rate compared with recent months. In December 2018, there were 5 158 000 employed persons, which corresponds to an employment rate of 68.9 percent.

The number of employees aged 15─74 increased by 92 000 to 4 598 000 in December 2018, compared with December 2017, not seasonally adjusted. Among women, the number of employees increased by 66 000 to 2 304 000 and among men the number of employees was 2 294 000. The number of permanent employees increased by 120 000 to 3 890 000 in the same period. Among women, the number of permanent employees increased by 67 000 to 1 902 000 and among men the number of permanent employees increased by 53 000 to 1 988 000. There were 708 000 temporary employees. The number of employees in the private sector increased by 61 000 and amounted to 3 061 000. In the central government sector, the number of employees increased by 30 000 to 319 000. In the municipal sector, the number of employees amounted to 1 173 000 persons. Compared with nearby months, smoothed and seasonally adjusted data shows an increase in the number of both temporary employees and permanent employees.

On average, the number of hours worked in December 2018 amounted to 148.1 million per week, not seasonally adjusted, an increase of 2.6 percent in calendar adjusted figures. Smoothed and seasonally adjusted data shows an increase in the number of hours worked per week compared with recent months. On average, the number of hours worked amounted to 157.5 million per week in December 2018.

In December 2018, there were 327 000 unemployed persons aged 15─74, not seasonally adjusted. This corresponds to an unemployment rate of 6.0 percent. There were 155 000 unemployed women and 172 000 unemployed men. The unemployment rate was 6.0 percent among women and 6.1 percent among men. Among young persons aged 15─24 there were 80 000 unemployed persons, of whom 44 000 were full-time students. The unemployment rate among young people was 14.0 percent. Among persons aged 15–74, smoothed and seasonally adjusted data shows decreases in both the number of unemployed persons and the unemployment rate compared with nearby months. There were 343 000 unemployed persons in December 2018, which corresponds to an unemployment rate of 6.2 percent. Among young persons aged 15─24, smoothed and seasonally adjusted data shows a decrease in the number of unemployed persons and in the unemployment rate. There were 105 000 unemployed young persons, which corresponds to an unemployment rate of 16.8 percent.

2019-02-14 at 9:30.