Further decline in job vacancies

There were 91 thousand job vacancies at the end of June 2013, the lowest level in nearly ten years. The number of job vacancies decreased by 6 thousand relative to the end of March. This is mostly due to a reduced demand for staff in the private sector. At the end of June, there were 83 thousand unfilled job vacancies in the private sector and 8 thousand in the public sector. Vacancy figures are adjusted for seasonal variation.

The number of vacancies per one thousand jobs, the so-called vacancy rate, is an indicator for the tension on the labour market. The vacancy rate fell marginally; from 13 at the end of March to 12 at the end of June.

In the second quarter of 2013, the labour market was less dynamic than one year previously; 162 thousand new vacancies were created, i.e. 17 thousand down from one year previously. There were also 162 thousand filled vacancies in the second quarter, a reduction by 19 thousand relative to the second quarter of 2012.

Job vacancies, seasonally adjusted

Sustained improvement vacancy indicator in September

The vacancy indicator provides a quick indication of the trend in job vacancies in the private sector. The indicator improved in September, just as in the preceding months, but pessimism still prevails among private entrepreneurs.

Vacancy indicator

More figures can be found in dossier Business cycle.

For more information on economic indicators, the reader is referred to the Economic Monitor.