Downward trend of the unemployment continued over the whole year of 2018. In the 4^th quarter of 2018, the number of unemployed persons, according to the LFSS, decreased, year-on-year, by 45,7 thous. (by 21,5 %) to 167,1 thous. persons. The unemployment of men decreased by 24,4 thous. and of women by 21,2 thous.. The unemployment rate declined, year-on-year, by 1,6 p.p. to 6,1 %. Decrease was coincident in both genders by 1,7 p.p.,  men by 5,5 % and women by 6,7 %. In quarter-on-quarter comparison (the 4^th quarter of 2018 compared with the 3^rd quarter of 2018), the seasonally adjusted unemployment decreased by 11,4 thous. (by 6,5 %) to 163 thous. persons.

In terms of age structure, the highest group of the unemployed was represented by persons in the age group 35-49 with number of 55,1 thous. persons and the share was 33 % of the total unemployment. The unemployment decreased almost in all age groups, the most significantly in the age group 15-24 by 14,8 thous. persons.

Unemployed persons, who have never had a job, represented 24,3 % of the total unemployment, their share dropped by 3,1 p.p., year-on-year. Regarding economic activity of the last employer, the most persons worked last time in industry (18,7 %), in public administration (9,1 %) and in construction (7 %).

In the 4^th quarter of 2018, the unemployment decreased, year-on-year, in all regions, at most in Prešovský kraj (by 10,1 thous.).  Despite of this fact, the highest number of the unemployed (39,2 thous. persons) and also the highest regional unemployment rate (9,7 %) was recorded in this region. In other regions, the unemployment rate ranged from 2,2 % in Bratislavský kraj to 9,6 % in Košický kraj.

In 2018, the unemployment decreased, year-on-year, by 19,9 % to 179,5 thous. persons. The unemployment rate dropped by 1,5 p.p. to 6,6 %.