TOP employer 2024 rankings

Latvia’s 2024 TOP 50 employers in the main “top-of-mind” category saw notable changes this year — the top-ranked company has changed, and only one employer managed to retain its previous position. Three companies made their debut in the ranking, seven returned after a break, and sixteen improved their standings. In total, 1,709 different employers were mentioned spontaneously — roughly a third more than last year — highlighting the intensifying competition in the labor market. Just around 3% of all mentioned companies made it into the TOP 50, underscoring the increasing challenge of standing out and earning employee recognition.

The TOP 50 list showcases a broad representation of industries, with finance, telecommunications, and IT companies making up a significant portion. Retail, global business services, and manufacturing sectors also received strong employee recognition. Additionally, companies from the transport, energy, entertainment, food service, education, and healthcare sectors secured places in the ranking, reflecting their ability to offer attractive, stable, and trusted working environments.

Competition for a spot in the top three was especially fierce, with nearly identical vote shares separating second and third place. For the first time, wood processing company AS “Latvijas Finieris” was named Latvia’s most desirable employer in the key category “TOP Employer – Top-of-Mind”, earning 4.6% of spontaneous mentions and jumping 17 spots in the rankings. Financial institution “SEB” secured second place with 4.36% of the votes, while SIA “Latvijas aptieka” — a pharmaceutical retail company — held steady in third, chosen as the top employer by 4.27% of respondents.

For the third year in a row, Rīga Stradiņš University has received the highest recognition among public sector organizations and earned the title of “TOP Employer – Public Sector” climbing to 14th place in the overall TOP 50 ranking this year.

Since last year, sixteen companies from the TOP 50 best employers have improved their positions, but the most remarkable leap in 2024 was made by the cargo shipping and global business services company SIA “MSC Shared Service Center Riga”. Climbing 28 spots to reach an impressive 7th place, the company earned the title of “TOP Employer – Growth of the Year”.

A total of 10,000 respondents — or 55% of all survey participants — took part in the evaluation of employers in the retail sector, making it the most popular business category this year after a five-year gap. In total, respondents voted for more than 370 companies — the highest number across all sectors — highlighting the particularly intense competition in this field. Over half of the participants cast their votes for one of the top ten employers. Only one employer managed to retain its previous position, while two debuted in the top ten and another two improved their ranking.

This year’s competition for leadership in the retail sector was especially fierce. The title of the best employer in the retail sector for 2024 was awarded to the fuel retail company SIA “Circle K Latvia”, which returned to the top spot after a four-year break, earning 9% of the votes. In second place is the previous leader, food retail company SIA “Lidl Latvija”, selected as the most desirable employer by 8.2% of survey participants. The battle for third place was also very close — companies ranked 3rd to 5th received a similar share of votes. Ultimately, the third position went to another fuel retailer, AS “VIRŠI-A”, supported by 6.4% of respondents.

The IT and telecommunications sector saw high engagement this year, with over 8,600 respondents — 48% of all survey participants — casting their votes in this category, making it the second most popular business sector. In total, more than 120 different companies were evaluated, with nearly 80% of the votes going to the top ten employers, reflecting a strong concentration of preference. Four companies improved their rankings, two maintained their previous positions, and one re-entered the top ten after a break.

For the 13th consecutive year, the title of the best employer in Latvia’s IT and telecommunications sector was awarded to SIA “Latvijas Mobilais Telefons”, which received a commanding 21.2% of the category’s votes. The competition for second place was extremely tight, with almost identical results for the companies in second and third place. SIA “Bite Latvija” returned to the second place after a two-year absence, securing 10.2% of the votes. Close behind, SIA “Tet”, a technology and entertainment services company, took third place with 9.6% support.

The financial sector employer evaluation involved more than 8,500 respondents, accounting for 47% of all survey participants. In total, respondents voted for over 70 different companies, with 86% of all votes concentrated on the top ten employers — one of the highest concentration rates in the entire survey. This category stands out for its remarkable stability: six companies maintained their positions in the top ten, one made its debut, and another returned after a break. This highlights the strong reputation and employee loyalty within the financial sector.

For the 13th consecutive year, AS “Swedbank” was recognized as the best employer in Latvia’s financial sector, receiving 29.8% of the votes — the highest first-place result across all business sectors. AS “SEB banka” retained its second-place position with support from 15.6% of respondents. Latvia’s leading insurance company, AAS “BALTA”, secured third place for the fourth consecutive year, earning the support of 9.7% of survey participants.

This year, the evaluation of employers in the manufacturing sector involved over 8,100 respondents — 45% of all survey participants. A total of 280 companies were mentioned, making this one of the most competitive business categories. The ten most popular employers received 46% of all votes cast in the sector. Three companies maintained their previous positions, one debuted in the top ten, and another returned after a break.

For the fourth consecutive year, the title of best employer in the manufacturing sector was awarded to the cosmetics manufacturer AS “Madara Cosmetics”, which received 7.3% of the votes. The competition for the next positions was especially close — companies ranked 2nd to 5th received very similar vote counts, with just a few votes separating them. AS “Grindeks”, a pharmaceutical company, held on to second place for the seventh year in a row, earning support from 5.5% of respondents. In third place, for the second time in the top three, was wood processing company AS “Latvijas Finieris”, which received 5.3% of the votes in this category.

This year, more than 7,600 respondents – 42% of all survey participants – took part in evaluating employers in the transport and logistics sector. Over 160 companies were mentioned, with the top ten employers receiving 70% of all votes cast in this category. Similar to the financial sector, this industry stood out for its stability, with six companies maintaining their positions in the ranking and one company entering the top ten for the first time.

Latvia’s national airline, AS “Air Baltic Corporation”, was once again named the best employer in the transport and logistics sector in 2024 – for the thirteenth consecutive year – receiving 24.1% of the vote, or nearly one-quarter of all votes in this category. Competition for second and third place was particularly fierce, with companies ranked 2nd to 4th receiving very similar vote shares. Taking second place and entering the top three for the first time was the state-owned VAS “Ceļu satiksmes drošības direkcija”, backed by 7.8% of respondents. Parcel delivery company SIA “Omniva” held on to third place with 7.1% of the vote.

This year, the evaluation of employers in the global business services sector attracted 8,600 respondents, or 47% of all survey participants, making it one of the three most popular business categories. More than 70 companies were mentioned, with 70% of the votes concentrated among the ten highest-rated employers – clearly highlighting the sector’s leading organizations. Two companies retained their positions in the top ten, while one made its debut this year.

For the fifth consecutive year, SIA “Circle K Business Centre” was named the best employer in the global business services sector, receiving support from 17.9% of voters in this category. The competition for second place was especially close, with only a slight difference separating the second and third-ranked companies. “Swedbank AB (publ) Latvijas filiāle” returned to second place after a one-year break, earning 9.13% of the vote. Meanwhile, “Accenture Latvijas filiāle” secured third place with 9.12% of the vote, maintaining its position in the top three for the fifth year in a row.

This year, more than 7,200 respondents – 40% of all survey participants – took part in evaluating employers in the HoReCa sector (hotels, restaurants, and catering). In total, over 100 different companies were mentioned, and more than 93% of voters in this category chose one of the top ten employers. This marks the highest vote concentration across all business sectors, indicating clearly defined leaders in the field. Two companies retained their previous positions, while half of the top ten showed an upward trend this year.

For the second time, the title of best employer in the HoReCa sector in 2024 was awarded to the food service company SIA “LIDO”, which received even stronger support this year — 26.7% of the votes. In second place, with a similarly strong result, was the hotel SIA “Hotel Jūrmala SPA”, backed by 22.9% of respondents. Taking third place for the first time was AS “Viesnīca Latvija”, the operator of the “Radisson” hotel brand, with 7.6% of the vote.

The construction category was included in the TOP Employer survey for the first time this year, reflecting the sector’s significance in Latvia’s economy and labor market. A total of over 5,100 respondents – 28% of all survey participants – took part in evaluating employers in this field. More than 150 different companies were mentioned, with 59% of voters selecting one of the ten highest-rated employers. The top ten companies represent a broad cross-section of the industry — from road and bridge construction and civil engineering to industrial and public building construction, as well as infrastructure and real estate development.

The title of the best employer in the construction sector for 2024 was awarded to the road construction company SIA “BINDERS Ceļu būves firma”, which received 12.4% of the votes. In second place, with a similarly strong result, was VSIA “Latvijas Valsts ceļi”, backed by 11.1% of respondents. Third place went to construction and structural element manufacturer AS “UPB”, which earned 7.2% of the vote.

This year, 7,000 respondents – or 39% of all survey participants – took part in the evaluation of employers in the Kurzeme region. Nearly 100 companies were mentioned in total, and 39% of voters in this category chose one of the top ten employers. Overall, this category was marked by significant changes — one company maintained its previous position, five moved up in the ranking, and one made its debut in the top ten.

The competition for first place in the Kurzeme region was particularly intense this year, with the top three employers receiving nearly equal vote shares. For the first time, the title of the best workplace in the region for 2024 was awarded to the meat processing company SIA “Kurzemes Gaļsaimnieks”, which received 6.6% of the vote. In second place, making its second appearance in the top three, was food retail company AS “DIĀNA”, supported by 6.5% of respondents. Third place went to metal product manufacturer SIA “BRABANTIA LATVIA”, which, as in the previous year, secured its position among the region’s top three employers with 6.3% of the vote.

This year, 7,400 respondents — or 41% of all survey participants — took part in the evaluation of employers in the Zemgale region, making it the second most engaged region in terms of participation. In total, more than 80 different companies were mentioned, with 74% of the votes concentrated on the top ten employers. Two companies managed to maintain their previous positions, four improved their rankings, and one company debuted in the top ten this year.

For the second year in a row, the title of the best workplace in the Zemgale region in 2024 was awarded to the local fuel retail company AS “Virši-A”, which received 19.8% of the vote. The food manufacturing company AS “Dobeles dzirnavnieks” retained second place with 13.2% support. Meanwhile, after a three-year break, another food producer – AS “Balticovo” – returned to the top three, receiving 9.6% of the votes.

This year, more than 7,500 respondents – or 42% of all survey participants – took part in the evaluation of employers in the Vidzeme region, making this category one of the most popular regional groups, as in previous years. In total, more than 100 companies were mentioned – the highest number among all regions. 72% of voters in this category chose one of the top ten employers. Three companies maintained their previous positions, four moved up in the ranking, and one returned to the top after a break.

For the second time, the title of the best workplace in the Vidzeme region in 2024 was awarded to the bakery company SIA “Fazer Latvija”, which received 17.8% of the vote. The brewery AS “Cēsu alus” retained second place with 15.5% support in this category. Manufacturing company AS “Valmieras stikla šķiedra” remained in third place, backed by 8.2% of respondents.

This year, more than 7,100 respondents – or 39% of all survey participants – took part in evaluating employers in the Latgale region. Over 60 companies were mentioned in total, and 75% of the votes were concentrated on the ten most popular employers – the highest share among all regions. Three companies maintained their previous positions, two improved their rankings, and one company entered the top ten for the first time this year.

For the eleventh consecutive year, the title of the best employer in the Latgale region in 2024 was awarded to the bakery company AS “Latvijas maiznieks”, which received 30.5% of the vote – the most dominant first-place result across all regions. In second place, returning after a two-year break, was dairy producer AS “Preiļu siers”, with 7.6% of the vote. The competition for third place was particularly close, with meat processing company SIA “Rēzeknes gaļas kombināts” securing the position for the tenth time, earning support from 6.8% of respondents.