Latest figures by public employment serviceUnemployment rate remains stable in Luxembourg

On 30 November, Luxembourg's unemployment rate was 6.3%. According to ADEM, this is practically the same level as the previous month (+1% compared to October). On a somewhat reassuring note, the employment service adds that following a sudden rise in unemployment in March and April and a decline observed from May onwards, the situation is stable for the moment.

However, a different figure is worrying: compared to last year, ADEM has noted a sharp increase in the number of jobseekers:

• resident jobseekers registered with ADEM*: their number stood at 18,159 on 30 November 2020. Over a one-year period, this represents an increase of 2,808 people, i.e. 18.3%.
• non-resident jobseekers registered with ADEM*: their number stood at 2,755 on 30 November 2020. Over a one-year period, this represents an increase of 397 people, i.e. 16.8%.

ADEM explains the increase in unemployment observed over a year by a drop in the number of people leaving towards the labour market rather than an increase in the number of registrations. From March to November 2020, registration of resident job seekers fell by 4% compared to the same period last year. At the same time, the number of closed applications fell by 16%. Even if a closing of a file does not necessarily correspond to a resumption of employment, the correlation is very strong.

ADEM also provides some additional data:

• The number of resident jobseekers receiving full unemployment benefit increased by 1,774 or 22.6% over a year to 9,631. The number of beneficiaries of employment measures is 4,112, which is below the level observed in November 2019 (-165 people or -3.9%).
• During the month of November 2020, employers declared 2,539 job vacancies to ADEM, which corresponds to a decrease of 10% compared to November 2019.
• As of 30 November 2020, ADEM counted 6,567 vacancies in its database, a drop of 7.5% over one year.

*A resident jobseeker registered with ADEM corresponds to a person registered with ADEM who resides on Luxembourg territory and who, at the date of the statistical statement, is neither in employment, nor assigned to an employment measure, nor on sickness, or maternity leave.
A non-resident jobseeker registered with ADEM is a person who does not reside on Luxembourg territory and who, on the date of the statistical statement, is neither in employment, nor assigned to an employment measure, nor on sick, or maternity leave.