Key findings: P0211 - Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS), 4th Quarter 2023

The official unemployment rate was 32,1% in the fourth quarter of 2023.

The results of the QLFS indicate that the number of employed persons decreased by 22 000 to 16,7 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the third quarter of 2023.

The number of unemployed persons increased by 46 000 to 7,9 million during the same quarter. Additionally, the number of people who were not economically active for reasons other than discouragement increased by 218 000 to 13,4 million, while discouraged work-seekers decreased by 107 000 in the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to the third quarter of 2023. This resulted in a net increase of 111 000 in the not economically active population.

The above changes in employment and unemployment resulted in the official unemployment rate increasing by 0,2 of a percentage point from 31,9% in the third quarter of 2023 to 32,1% in the fourth quarter of 2023. The unemployment rate according to the expanded definition decreased by 0,1 of a percentage point to 41,1% in Q4: 2023 compared to Q3: 2023.