Labour Force Survey Results, Slovenia, 2020
ILO unemployment rate in 2020 at 5.0%, slightly higher than in the previous year
In 2020, there were fewer self-employed, fewer student workers and slightly more employees in labour relation than in 2019. The ILO unemployment rate increased by 0.5 of a percentage point. Absenteeism also increased.
After several years of the number of employed persons increasing and the number of unemployed persons decreasing, the trend reversed in 2020. We again witnessed an increase in the number of unemployed persons. There were 51,000 unemployed persons in 2020, 12.2% more than in 2019. Among them, the number of long-term unemployed (unemployed for 1 year or more) remained approximately the same as in the previous years, while the number of those who were unemployed less than a year increased by almost a quarter (by 24% or 6,000).
Among residents of Slovenia aged 15 or more, 978,000 were employed; 54% were men and 46% were women. Compared to 2019, their number decreased by 0.5%.
The total number of active population remained approximately the same (1,029,000), while the number of inactive increased to 752,000, by just over 1% compared to 2019.
The ILO unemployment rate higher, the employment rate lower than in 2019
One of the main indicators we use to describe the labour market situation is the employment rate of the age group 20-64 years. In 2020, the employment rate in this age group was 75.6%, 0.8 p.p. lower than in 2019, and at the same time 0.2 p.p. higher than in 2018.
The ILO unemployment rate is also one of the important indicators to measure changes in the labour market (especially for the international comparison). In 2020, the ILO unemployment rate was 5.0%. Compared to the previous year, it increased by 0.5 p.p. It was higher among women (5.7%) than among men (4.4%).
Fewer student workers and self-employed, more employees in labour relation
In comparison with 2019, the largest decrease among different employment statuses was recorded among the self-employed and student workers. There were 9% (or 11,000) fewer self-employed and 28% (or 8,000) fewer student workers than in 2019.
The majority of employed persons still works in the “classical” forms of work, i.e. as employees in labour relation having permanent contracts. In 2020, 829,000 employees were in labour relation, almost 2% (or 15,000) more than in 2019. Of these, 92% were permanently and 8% were temporary employed, with the share of temporary employees in labour relation continuing to decline. Compared to 2019, there were almost 15% (or 12,000) fewer of them, while there were almost 4% (27,000) more permanently employed employees.
On the other hand, non-standard and precarious employment also appear on the labour market. These include the self-employed without employees, the self-employed dependent on one client only, student workers, agency workers and involuntary part-time employees. About 72% of the self-employed did not employ anyone and about 14% of them were working for only one client. The share of precarious employment among the employed was 4.7% in 2020, slightly lower than in 2019 (5.7%), mainly due to a decrease in the number of student workers.
46% more persons absent from work in 2020
In 2020, 16% of the employed (i.e. 156,000 persons) were absent from work in the reference week. Compared to 2019, their number jumped by 46% (i.e. 49,000 persons). In the last ten years, more than half of absences from work were due to annual leave, followed by absences due to illness or injury and due to maternity, paternity or parental leave. In 2020, the second most common reason for absence was being on lay-off. Annual leave was the reason for a third of absences in 2020 and lay-off for a little less than a quarter. One-fifth of those absent from work did not work due to illness or injury.
Fewer employed participated in non-formal education
Ten years ago, about a fifth of employed persons participated in education or training. This share was 11% last year, 105,000 employed participated in education or training (i.e. in formal and non-formal education), of whom slightly more than a half (64,000) participated in non-formal education. Compared to the previous year, the number decreased by 34%. However, we did not detect any changes in the reasons for participation compared to previous years. About three quarters participated due to work needs, and a quarter due to their own interest or personal development.
More detailed data on the active and inactive population (Labour force survey results) will be published on 16 April 2021 in the SiStat Database.
Among residents of Slovenia aged 15 or more, 978,000 were employed; 54% were men and 46% were women. Compared to 2019, their number decreased by 0.5%.
The total number of active population remained approximately the same (1,029,000), while the number of inactive increased to 752,000, by just over 1% compared to 2019.
The ILO unemployment rate higher, the employment rate lower than in 2019
One of the main indicators we use to describe the labour market situation is the employment rate of the age group 20-64 years. In 2020, the employment rate in this age group was 75.6%, 0.8 p.p. lower than in 2019, and at the same time 0.2 p.p. higher than in 2018.
The ILO unemployment rate is also one of the important indicators to measure changes in the labour market (especially for the international comparison). In 2020, the ILO unemployment rate was 5.0%. Compared to the previous year, it increased by 0.5 p.p. It was higher among women (5.7%) than among men (4.4%).
Fewer student workers and self-employed, more employees in labour relation
In comparison with 2019, the largest decrease among different employment statuses was recorded among the self-employed and student workers. There were 9% (or 11,000) fewer self-employed and 28% (or 8,000) fewer student workers than in 2019.
The majority of employed persons still works in the “classical” forms of work, i.e. as employees in labour relation having permanent contracts. In 2020, 829,000 employees were in labour relation, almost 2% (or 15,000) more than in 2019. Of these, 92% were permanently and 8% were temporary employed, with the share of temporary employees in labour relation continuing to decline. Compared to 2019, there were almost 15% (or 12,000) fewer of them, while there were almost 4% (27,000) more permanently employed employees.
On the other hand, non-standard and precarious employment also appear on the labour market. These include the self-employed without employees, the self-employed dependent on one client only, student workers, agency workers and involuntary part-time employees. About 72% of the self-employed did not employ anyone and about 14% of them were working for only one client. The share of precarious employment among the employed was 4.7% in 2020, slightly lower than in 2019 (5.7%), mainly due to a decrease in the number of student workers.
46% more persons absent from work in 2020
In 2020, 16% of the employed (i.e. 156,000 persons) were absent from work in the reference week. Compared to 2019, their number jumped by 46% (i.e. 49,000 persons). In the last ten years, more than half of absences from work were due to annual leave, followed by absences due to illness or injury and due to maternity, paternity or parental leave. In 2020, the second most common reason for absence was being on lay-off. Annual leave was the reason for a third of absences in 2020 and lay-off for a little less than a quarter. One-fifth of those absent from work did not work due to illness or injury.
Fewer employed participated in non-formal education
Ten years ago, about a fifth of employed persons participated in education or training. This share was 11% last year, 105,000 employed participated in education or training (i.e. in formal and non-formal education), of whom slightly more than a half (64,000) participated in non-formal education. Compared to the previous year, the number decreased by 34%. However, we did not detect any changes in the reasons for participation compared to previous years. About three quarters participated due to work needs, and a quarter due to their own interest or personal development.
More detailed data on the active and inactive population (Labour force survey results) will be published on 16 April 2021 in the SiStat Database.
When making use of the data and information of the Statistical Office of the Republic of Slovenia, always add: "Source: SURS". More: Copyright.
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