Number of job vacancies fairly stable

There were 108 thousand job vacancies at the end of September 2012, i.e. slightly fewer than at the end of June. The number of vacancies in health care dropped by 2 thousand and stood at 15 thousand. The number of vacancies in other sectors remained fairly stable. Job 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 degree of tension on the labour market. The vacancy rate dropped and stood at 13 at the end of September. In the preceding three quarters, the vacancy rate stood at 15.

In the third quarter, the labour market was less dynamic than one year previously. 164 thousand new vacancies were created, i.e. 29 thousand fewer than in the third quarter of 2011.The number of filled vacancies also decreased.

Job vacancies, seasonally adjusted

Job vacancies, seasonally adjusted

Vacancy indicator remains stable in fourth quarter

The vacancy indicator provides a quick indication of the current trend in vacancies. The indicator was about the same in December as in November and October. In the private sector, pessimists still outnumber optimists.

Vacancy indicator

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.