The number of persons 16-74 years old in the labour force in the 4th quarter of 2017 was 199,600 corresponding to an activity rate of 81.2%. The number of employed persons was 194,400 while unemployed persons were 5,200. The employment rate was 79.1% and the unemployment rate 2.6%. From the 4th quarter of 2016 the number of employed persons increased by 2.700 but the employment rate decreased by 1.8 percentage points. At the same time the number of unemployed increased slightly, or by 200 persons, and the unemployment rate increased by 0.1 point. The unemployment rate among females was 2.5% and 2.7% among males.
Long-term unemployment
In the 4th quarter of 2017, 600 persons were long-term unemployed or 0.3% of the total labour force and 10.9% of the total unemployed. In the 4th quarter of 2016 long-term unemployed persons were 300 or 0.2% of the labour force and 7% of the total unemployed.
Persons are classified as unemployed when they have no employment, are actively seeking a job and could start working within two weeks or have found a job which starts within three months. Students who are not employed and fulfil this criteria are considered unemployed. People are classified as working (employed) if they worked one hour or more in the reference week or were absent from work they usually carry out.
Average working hours
In the 4th quarter of 2017 the average number of persons at work in the reference week was 179,900, or 73.2% of the population 16–74 years old and 92.5% of all in employment. The average number of working hours for those at work was 38.9 hours, 44.3 hours for those in full-time employment and 23.1 hours for those in part-time employment.
Labour market statistics, 4th quarter 2017 - Statistical Series