Covasna unemployment rate fluctuates amid textile sector layoffs

The unemployment rate in Covasna County, Romania, stood at 6.38% at the end of September 2026, a slight decrease from 6.55% the previous month. According to the Covasna County Agency for Employment (AJOFM), approximately 4,992 people were registered as unemployed, with women accounting for 49.22% of the total.

Despite the slight monthly dip, officials noted an upward trend in unemployment due to collective layoffs in the textile sector. Over 200 individuals from the Secuiana and Zara Modem factories registered for unemployment benefits following job losses attributed to a declining customer base and increases in the minimum wage.

Demographic data shows that young people under 25 constitute the largest group of unemployed, representing 32% of the total. Additionally, a significant portion of the unemployed population is classified as difficult or very difficult to employ, often due to lack of formal education, rural residency, and language barriers. AJOFM is currently organizing vocational training courses in fields such as solar installation, cooking assistance, and elderly care to address these challenges.