In the first quarter of 2019, number of the employed amounted to 2 810 500, and number of the unemployed to 387 100. Employment rate of the population aged 15 and over amounted to 47.4%, while unemployment rate had the value of 12.1%.

Relative to the first quarter 2018, the contingent of labour force was increased by 40 700 persons. The number of employed increased by 122 300, and number of unemployed decreased by 81 600. Employment rate was increased by 2.3 (p.p.), while unemployment rate was decreased by 2.7 p.p. In scope of total employment, decreased was informal employment (by 18 100) and increased was formal employment (by 140 300). Informal employment rate was decreased by 1.5 p.p. and amounted to 17.1%.

Compared with the fourth quarter 2018, employment was decreased by 6 900, whereof the number of informally employed decreased by 27 200 and the number of formally employed increased by 20 300. Namely, the most frequently persons with lower and secondary education lost their jobs, while in the category of persons with tertiary education, number of employed increased in the observed period. Employment rate was decreased by 0.1 p.p.