Slovakia’s jobless rate simultaneously increased and decreased in January. The reason is the change in methodology.

The new indicator enables a more detailed tracking of unemployment and better targeting of help.

The ÚPSVaR changed methodology to report the jobless rate. The ÚPSVaR changed methodology to report the jobless rate. (Source: SME)

In January, unemployment in Slovakia fell and rose at the same time. The reason is the change in methodology. The registered unemployment rate fell slightly to 5.82 percent in January from 5.9 percent in the previous month; while the new indicator, the unemployment share, rose to 4.44 percent from December’s 4.37 percent.

SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement
SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement

“We were surprised by the change in the headline methodology for January, even though the Central Office of Labour, Social Affairs and Family had used the new indicator a couple of times in its press releases last year,” Michal Lehuta, macroeconomist with VÚB bank, told The Slovak Spectator.

SkryťTurn off ads

The total number of unemployed people rose from 178,000 people in December to almost 181,000 in January. However, the Central Office of Labour, Social Affairs and Family (ÚPSVaR) is now counting unemployment from the entire working-age population, i.e. about 3.7 million people, rather than from the economically active population, which is roughly 2.8 million people. The data then show lower unemployment rates, the Denník N wrote.

Change in methodology

Inspired by the Czech Republic, the Slovak Labour Ministry changed the headline methodology for calculating unemployment as of January. Instead of the registered unemployment rate calculated from available job applicants, i.e. those able to take jobs immediately, and the number of economically active persons, it uses the share of available job applicants of working age of total citizens of working age.

SkryťTurn off ads

“One of the several benefits of the new indicator is a more detailed tracking of unemployment,” Labour Minister Milan Krajniak said about the new indicator, as quoted in a press release. “We will have data at the municipal level, whereas previously we had them at the district level. This is something that will help us to better target help for people.”

The rest of this article is premium content at Spectator.sk
Subscribe now for full access

I already have subscription - Sign in

Subscription provides you with:
  • Immediate access to all locked articles (premium content) on Spectator.sk
  • Special weekly news summary + an audio recording with a weekly news summary to listen to at your convenience (received on a weekly basis directly to your e-mail)
  • PDF version of the latest issue of our newspaper, The Slovak Spectator, emailed directly to you
  • Access to all premium content on Sme.sk and Korzar.sk

Top stories

A Slovak citizen got his possessions frozen over sanctions - he attempted an arms deal for Russia. (Illustrative photo)

News digest: Slovak citizen is accused of involvement in attempted Russian arms deals

Heger goes to Ukraine, virtual reality resurrects a Roman camp. and AI is taking over – or is it?


16 h
Volkswagen will make all-electric versions of the Porsche Cayenne luxury SUV.

News Digest: Volkswagen Slovakia to produce all-electric luxury SUV

LGBT+ minority could face new difficulties, a suspect is charged in the Daniel Tupý murder case.


24. mar
Filip Toška holding chard in the hydroponic Hausnatura farm.

How a Mayan doomsday prophecy took a Slovak to hi-tech agriculture

Hydroponic farm run out of former telephone exchange.


9. mar
Easter egg decorations from Stará Bystrica.

Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners

Tips for the top 10 events in the capital between March 31 and April 9, plus regular services in different languages, training, temporary exhibitions, classical music and highlights of the year.


30. mar
SkryťClose ad