As of 30 November 2024, there were 18,625 registered jobseekers with Adem, said a press release from the national employment agency issued on 20 December. That’s an increase of 1,186 people (or 6.8%) compared to November 2023. “This increase particularly concerns job seekers registered for more than seven months, job seekers over 30 years old, as well as the most qualified job seekers (higher education graduates),” said Adem.

In terms of professions, the most significant increases were seen in the sectors of road transport driving, culinary production, IT and banking.

Unemployment rate increases slightly

Corrected for seasonal variations and calculated by Luxembourg’s statistics bureau Statec, the unemployment rate increased a bit in November 2024, reaching 5.9%. In October, the figure stood at 5.8%.

The number of resident job seekers receiving full unemployment benefits rose by 1,070 people, or 11.3%, over one year, said Adem. That brings the figure to 10,533 as of 30 November 2024 (versus 9,463 in November 2023). The number of beneficiaries of employment measures was 4,395, an increase of 4.3% compared to November 2023.

2,535 job vacancies declared to Adem

During the month of November 2024, employers declared 2,535 vacancies to Adem, similar to the volume of November 2023 (when 2,533 vacancies were declared), said the employment agency. The total number of positions available stands at 6,140 as of 30 November 2024. That’s a decline of 16.3% over one year and mainly affects the IT, banking and building finishing professions.

“It should be noted that the stock of vacant positions is decreasing, while the number of new positions declared is increasing, due to a reduction in the average duration of opening of job offers. This trend, observed since September 2023, coincides with the entry into force of a new law to address the shortage of skilled labor,” noted Adem. “This new procedure makes it possible to close job offers targeting the recruitment of third-country nationals more quickly. The professions listed above (accounting, IT, law, finance) are particularly affected by these faster closures, which explains the significant drop in the stock of vacant positions in these fields.”