Czech Jobless Rate Hits Highest Since 2017

The Czech unemployment rate edged up to 5.2% in February 2026 from 5.1% in the previous month, slightly above the market expectation of 5.1%. This reflected the annual seasonal increase before the arrival of spring, bringing the jobless rate to its highest level since January 2017. The number of unemployed individuals rose 3,158 month-on-month to reach 381,705 and increased 55,482 compared to the same month last year. Meanwhile, the number of registered job vacancies added 3,274 from a month earlier to 89,705.

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.