Unemployment in the Czech Republic edged up in August, reaching 4.5 per cent. While Prague continues to record the lowest rate, the highest figures are found in North Bohemia and Moravia-Silesia.
According to the Czech Labour Office (Úřad práce), the national rate increased by 0.1 percentage points compared with July. At 4.5 per cent, Czech Republic still ranks among the EU member states with the lowest levels of unemployment.
Labour Minister Marian Jurečka (KDU-ČSL) described the rise as a normal seasonal development: “The increase to 4.5 per cent is moderate and reflects the typical summer slowdown in hiring. Nevertheless, the Czech Republic remains among the countries with the lowest unemployment in the European Union.”
Significant Regional Differences
A closer look at the regions shows marked contrasts. Unemployment is lowest in Prague and the Central Bohemian Region, while the Ústí nad Labem Region recorded 6.7 per cent and the Moravian-Silesian Region 6.3 per cent. Only in the Karlovy Vary Region did the rate fall slightly, by 0.1 percentage points compared with July.
Year-on-year, the biggest increase was in the Liberec Region, where unemployment rose by a full percentage point.
Demand for Workers Remains High
By the end of the month, 95,117 vacancies were registered with the Labour Office nationwide – around 400 fewer than in July. The largest numbers of jobs were in Prague (23,084) and the Central Bohemian Region (14,826). On average, there are 3.5 applicants for each vacancy. The situation is most difficult in Karviná, with 23 jobseekers per vacancy, followed by Sokolov (18), Děčín (13) and Hodonín (12).
Employers are especially looking for skilled workers in logistics, construction, transport, hospitality and cleaning.
Increase in Long-Term Unemployment
Looking at the length of unemployment, the share of those out of work for less than three months fell slightly in August. They now account for 26.4 per cent of all unemployed – just over 88,000 people. By contrast, the proportion of long-term unemployed – those registered for more than a year – edged up to 33.2 per cent, or around 111,000 individuals.
