In 2025, Latvia saw an increase in employment numbers, particularly in wholesale and retail industries, along with a notable rise in youth employment rates.
Latvia reported that 883,100 residents were employed in the country last year, marking a 0.6 percentage point increase in employment. The largest increases in employment were noted in the wholesale and retail sectors, as well as in automotive and motorcycle repair, and professional, scientific, and technical services. The employment level among youth aged 15 to 24 also saw improvements, with an employment rate of 30.8% in 2025, an increase of 0.9 percentage points compared to the previous year.
In 2025, the number of employed young people rose to 57,600, up from 56,200 in 2024. Additionally, there has been a significant increase in residents who engage in side jobs alongside their main employment. The number of people working in secondary jobs reached 45,500 in 2025, which represents a 4.8% increase from 2024. The share of individuals involved in side jobs accounted for 5.2% of the workforce, marking a slight rise of 0.2 percentage points over the previous year.
The data also highlights a gender disparity in side jobs, with women (26,300) more frequently engaged in such work compared to men (19,200). This trend indicates not only a growing need for supplemental income among Latvians but also raises important considerations regarding gender roles and economic participation in the labor market.
