In May, the number of job seekers decreased to a total of 358,852, which is 42,792 more than last year, and the unemployment rate dropped to 4.8%. The number of newly registered individuals was 4,880 lower compared to the previous month, and 3,050 higher year-on-year.
Among the regions, the highest unemployment rates remain in the Ústí nad Labem Region (7.2%) and the Moravian-Silesian Region (6.8%). Compared to April, the unemployment rate decreased in 12 regions.
At the district level, the highest rates in April were recorded in Karviná (10.4%), Most (10.1%), Bruntál (8.4%), followed by Chomutov (8.1%). Conversely, very low unemployment—below 3%—is traditionally reported by the Czech Labour Office in the districts of Prague-East and Prague-West, as well as in Rychnov nad Kněžnou.
The drop in May’s unemployment rate can be attributed primarily to the launch of the main wave of seasonal work and the associated increase in demand for labor. We are seeing heavier recruitment in tourism, hospitality, catering, agriculture, construction, and forestry. In addition, companies are making intensive efforts to close open recruitment processes before the holiday season begins.
Our Randstad Employer Brand Research (REBR) reveals an interesting trend regarding turnover: while people often talk about changing jobs, they don’t always make the move in the end. The data shows that 26% of workers plan to change employers in the first half of 2026. However, only 18% of employees actually change jobs, as they fear uncertainty and risk.
When assessing the overall situation, however, it must be noted that the national average is somewhat misleading, as the regional gap continues to widen. While in Prague or Central Bohemia unemployment is virtually negligible and people can take their pick of offers, the situation is noticeably more difficult in the Karlovy Vary, Ústí nad Labem, or Moravian-Silesian regions. Finding stable, well-paid work outside of assembly plants is still a challenge for many people there.
As of the end of May, employers offered a total of 94,380 vacancies through the Czech Labour Office, a decrease of 103 compared to April and a decrease of 2,003 compared to last year. The highest number of vacancies is repeatedly offered by employers in Prague (22,416 positions) and the Central Bohemian Region (13,967 positions).
On average, there are currently approximately 3.8 applicants per vacancy in the Czech Republic, with the highest ratios in the districts of Karviná (20.1), Sokolov (15.9), Děčín (14.6), Ústí nad Labem (12.9) and Bruntál (10.8). There were 190,746 women in the registry, accounting for 53.2% of all registered job seekers.
In the 1st quarter of 2026, the average gross nominal monthly salary* (hereinafter “average salary”) was CZK 50,282. That is CZK 3,789 (8.1%) higher when compared to the same period of 2025. Consumer prices increased by 1.6% during this period, and real wages increased by 6.4% as a result. The amount of salaries increased by 8.8%, and the number of employees grew by 0.6%. Compared to the previous quarter, the seasonally adjusted average salary grew by 2.0% during the 1st quarter of 2026.
source: MPSV, ČSÚ, ÚP ČR
* calculated to the number of employees in the national economy