Czech Jobless Rate Highest in Nearly 9 Years

The Czech unemployment rate climbed to 5.1% in January 2026 from 4.8% in the previous month, slightly above the market expectation of 5%. The increase reflected both the annual seasonal rise and recent amendments to the law, bringing the jobless rate to its highest level since February 2017. The number of unemployed individuals rose 24,233 month-on-month to reach 378,547 and increased 58,031 compared to the same month last year. Meanwhile, the number of registered job vacancies declined by 991 from a month earlier to 86,431.

The Czech unemployment rate edged up to 4.8% in December 2025 from 4.6% in the previous month, in line with market expectations. It marked the highest jobless rate since February 2017, as the number of unemployed individuals rose by 13,003 month over month to reach 354,314, while the year-on-year increase was even more pronounced, with unemployment up by 47,836. Meanwhile, the number of registered job vacancies declined by 3,205 from a month earlier to 87,422.

The Czech unemployment rate stood at 4.6% in November 2025, unchanged from the previous month, and matching market forecasts. It remains at the highest level since March 2017, as the number of unemployed persons rose by 802 month-on-month to 341,311 and was up by 50,886 compared to the same month last year. Unemployment increased slightly in the South Bohemian region compared to October, while it edged down by 0.1% in the Moravian-Silesian and Central Bohemian regions. Meanwhile, the number of job vacancies decreased by 3,372 from the previous month to 90,627.