Employment Service: Registered unemployment in Lithuania rose to 8 per cent in July.

The Lithuanian labour market slowed in midsummer – registered unemployment rose by 0.3 percentage points to 8 per cent, whilst the number of unemployed in the country rose to 145,700, according to the Employment Service.

“At present, we are seeing more signs of a slowdown than of a weakening in the labour market. The mid-summer data once again confirm that the labour market is dynamic and constantly adapting to changing circumstances – some indicators remain stable, whilst others are temporarily slowing down. Nevertheless, the overall trend remains favourable                                                                            

According to data from the Employment Service, on 1 August there were 145,700 clients of the Employment Service registered in the country who had been granted unemployed status. This is 2.9 per cent more than a month ago, whilst registered unemployment rose by 0.3 per cent to 8 per cent.

The unemployment rate rose in 39 municipalities in July, fell in 16 and remained unchanged in 7. Unemployment was lowest in the municipalities of Neringa, Birštonas, Joniškis, Kretinga and Šilalė. Meanwhile, it was highest in the municipalities of Kalvarija, Ignalina, Zarasai and Anykščiai.

Demand for labour remained stable, as in previous months – the number of job vacancies exceeded the 15,000 mark for the fifth month in a row. Most job vacancies were advertised in the manufacturing sector – 3,200 – as well as in administration and support services – 2,400, retail – 2,300; and the construction sector – 1,600.

The total number of people in employment in Lithuania stood at 1.47 million. The largest increases in the number of people in work were seen in the retail, public administration and defence, transport and storage, and human health care sectors.