Labour Ministry: One in five people retired from unemployment before the COVID-19 pandemic

One in five people in the Czech Republic entered retirement from the unemployment register in the years before the COVID-19 pandemic. Among those who took early retirement, the figure was two in five. Most people registered with the Labour Office 11 to 12 months before retirement, according to an analysis of the motivations for early retirement prepared by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs.

The analysis suggests that for some people, unemployment serves as an exit strategy from the labour market, helping them financially bridge the period before they become eligible for a pension.

"Unemployment is common in the pre-retirement period. At least one period of unemployment before retirement is recorded for approximately 30% of people, and for 21%, unemployment registration is the last observed status before their pension is granted," the report's authors stated.