Unemployment in Ida-Virumaa drops by nearly a thousand in a year

According to the Statistics Department, in June 2026, Ida-Virumaa had 5,929 registered unemployed, a decrease of 951 people or nearly 14% compared to June 2025, when the figure was 6,880. A similar trend was observed across Estonia, where the number of registered unemployed dropped from 45,173 to 39,506, a decrease of 5,667.

The largest number of unemployed in Ida-Virumaa remains in Narva, with 2,654 people, which is 420 fewer than a year ago. In Kohtla-Järve, the number fell from 1,778 to 1,536; in Sillamäe from 706 to 573; in Lüganuse Parish from 377 to 294; and in Narva-Jõesuu from 220 to 159.

However, not all municipalities saw improvement. In Jõhvi Parish, the number of registered unemployed rose from 465 to 571, and in Alutaguse Parish from 129 to 142.

The majority of the unemployed in the region are of working age (25–54), with 3,508 people. Another 1,514 are over 55, and 907 are youth aged 16–24. Women still outnumber men among the registered unemployed: 3,136 versus 2,793.

By education level, the largest group is those with secondary education: 3,393, or more than half of all registered unemployed in the region. Another 1,411 have higher education, and 1,097 have basic or vocational education. Compared to June last year, the number of unemployed decreased in all major educational categories.