In the first quarter of 2026, economically active persons accounted for 58.7% of the population aged 15-89. This share decreased by 0.3 pp. compared to the fourth quarter of 2025, but increased by 0.5 pp. compared to the first quarter of 2025. In the first quarter of 2026, the number of economically active persons aged 15-89 amounted to 17 817 thousand, of which: 17 237 thousand constituted employed persons, while 580 thousand – the unemployed. The population of economically inactive persons in this age group comprised 12 538 thousand persons. Among persons at the working age1, the economically active population numbered 16 954 thousand, including 16 386 thousand employed and 568 thousand – unemployed persons. The economically inactive population at working age amounted to 3 665 thousand persons.

As of the end of 2025, 7,438 public libraries were operating, including 4,825 library branches. During the year, 5.4 million library users (0.3% more than in 2024) borrowed 99.5 million volumes of the collection (0.6% more than in 2024).

In the 1st quarter of 2026 gross financial result of the surveyed non-financial enterprises was higher by 22.6% comparing to a year earlier. The economic and financial indicators improved. Investment outlays were higher by 8.7% than in the previous year (when there was a decrease by 3.6%).

In April 2026 retail sales at constant prices were by 1.3% higher than the year before (against an increase of 7.6% in April 2025). Compared with March 2026, there was a decrease by 0.8% in retail sales. In the period of January-April 2026 sales increased y/y by 3.4% (against an increase by 3.3% in the corresponding period of 2025).

In 2025, there were 3,913 centres of culture, cultural centres and establishments, clubs and community centres. During the year, these entities organised 290.5 thousand events (5.0% more than in 2024), with 37.0 million participants (5.2% more than in 2024).