The number of long-term unemployed in the Czech Republic has surpassed a critical milestone, with over 100,000 people now searching for work for more than a year. This figure, comparable to the population of major cities like České Budějovice or Olomouc, represents a concerning trend in the nation’s job market.
The situation is particularly striking, with long-term unemployment now accounting for nearly 31% of total unemployment, up from 29% last year. In concrete numbers, February saw 100,399 long-term unemployed individuals, compared to 84,675 in the previous year.
Economic experts attribute this surge to multiple factors. Vít Hradil, chief economist at Cyrrus, points to the weakening Czech economy and companies’ reluctance to hire new workers due to reduced demand. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that employers typically prefer candidates who have been unemployed for shorter periods.
The crisis disproportionately affects specific demographics. Those around sixty years old, despite companies’ claimed openness to older workers, face particular challenges in securing employment. Statistics confirm this trend, showing a 13% increase in unemployment among those over 55, who now constitute almost a quarter of all unemployed.
While short-term unemployment can be seen as a natural part of labor market flexibility, long-term unemployment poses serious structural challenges. Beyond the economic impact, it often leads to the deterioration of work habits and risks permanent exclusion from the job market.