Hõive

Hõive (Estonian for "employment") denotes the state of being employed and is commonly used to describe the share of a population that holds paid work or is self‑employed. As an economic indicator, hõive is often expressed as an employment rate: the proportion of the working‑age population (frequently defined as ages 15–64 or 20–64) that is employed. It is distinct from the unemployment rate, which measures the proportion of the labor force that is without work but actively seeking employment.

Measurement of hõive relies on household or labor force surveys and administrative records. Common challenges include accounting for informal work, underemployment, part‑time work, and discouraged workers who have stopped seeking work. International organizations and national statistical offices may apply different age ranges and definitions, affecting comparability.

Hõive is a key indicator of labor market health and social inclusion. High employment rates are associated with economic growth, reduced poverty, and broader tax bases, while low rates can signal structural problems, demographic pressures, or cyclical downturns. Determinants of hõive include economic conditions, education and skills, labor market institutions, demographic trends, childcare availability, and social policies.

Policymakers influence hõive through active labor market programs, vocational training, childcare provision, tax and benefit systems, and regulations that affect hiring and job creation. Monitoring trends in hõive helps guide policy decisions and assess the effectiveness of measures aimed at increasing participation in the labor market.