TOP employer 2025 rankings

This year, the TOP50 of Latvia’s most attractive employers in the main category (top-of-mind) highlights notable shifts in ranking positions. Only a few companies have maintained their positions, while others have experienced both significant rises and declines. Several employers have considerably improved their rankings, moving up by 10 or more positions. At the same time, new companies have entered the ranking, and several employers have returned to the TOP50 after a break. In total, 1632 different employers were mentioned spontaneously this year, indicating strong competition for a place in the TOP50.

The TOP50 list continues to reflect a diverse representation of industries, with strong presence from the finance, retail, energy, and IT sectors. Companies in international business services, manufacturing, and logistics also maintain high evaluations.

This year again, competition within the TOP3 was intense, with a very close distribution of votes between the second and third positions. In 2025, SEB became Latvia’s most attractive employer in the main category “Top Employer – First that comes to mind”, moving up one position and receiving 7,5% of respondents’ votes. Second place is held by “Latvijas aptieka” with 4,4%, while third place goes to “Swedbank Latvija” with 4,2% – both companies also improved their positions by one place.

For the fourth consecutive year, Rīgas Stradiņa universitāte has received the highest evaluation among public sector organizations, earning the title “Top Employer – Public sector”, ranking 26th in the overall TOP50.

Compared to last year’s TOP50, nineteen companies have improved their positions. This year, two employers achieved particularly significant growth, both rising by 22 positions and earning the title “Top Employer – Growth of the Year”. The energy company “Latvenergo” ranked 8th, while the international business services provider “DNB Bank ASA Latvijas filiāle” moved up to 11th place overall.

More than 10 000 respondents, or 60% of all survey participants, took part in evaluating employers in the trade sector, making it once again the most popular category. In total, respondents voted for 317 companies, the highest number among all sectors, indicating especially strong competition. More than half or 51% of participants voted for one of the TOP10 companies. Three employers maintained their previous positions, three improved, while four experienced declines.

This year, fuel retail company “Circle K Latvia” confidently retained its leading position with 12,5% of the votes. The competition between second and third place was close. “Latvijas aptieka” moved up to second place with 6,7%, while cosmetics and perfumery retailer “Drogas” climbed to third place with 6%.

Respondents were also highly active in the IT and telecommunications sector this year. More than 8400 votes were cast in this category, representing 48% of all respondents. In total, over 110 companies were evaluated, with 79% of votes concentrated among the TOP10 employers. Four companies moved up, two declined, and two maintained their positions, while one company entered the TOP10 for the first time.

For the fourteenth consecutive year, “Latvijas Mobilais Telefons” has been recognized as the top employer in this sector, receiving 22,6% of the votes. “TET” returned to second place after a one-year break with 10,3%, while “TELE2” re-entered the TOP3 after several years, taking third place with 8,5%.

More than 8400 respondents, or 47% of all participants, evaluated employers in the finance sector. In total, 66 companies were mentioned, with 84% of votes concentrated among the TOP10. This category remains one of the most stable, and that trend continues this year. Five companies maintained their positions, two improved, two declined, and one entered the TOP10 for the first time.

The TOP3 remains unchanged this year. “Swedbank” has been ranked as the top employer in the finance sector for the fourteenth consecutive year, receiving 27,7% of the votes. “SEB banka” holds second place for the ninth year in a row with 15,7%, while insurance company “BALTA” remains in third place with 9,6%.

More than 8500 respondents, or 48% of all participants, evaluated employers in the production sector, making it the second most popular category this year. In total, 276 companies were mentioned, placing this sector second in terms of competition intensity. The TOP10 received 43% of all votes in this category. This year, no company retained its previous position – four improved, four declined, one debuted, and one returned to the TOP10.

For the first time, “Latvijas Finieris” has been recognized as the top employer in manufacturing, receiving 7,1% of the votes. “MADARA Cosmetics” ranked second with 6,2%, while “Latvenergo” moved up to third place with 5%.

More than 7800 respondents, or 44% of all participants, evaluated employers in the transport and logistics sector. In total, 108 companies were mentioned, with the TOP10 receiving 74% of all votes in this category. Five companies improved their positions, three declined, and two maintained their rankings.

For the fourteenth consecutive year, “Air Baltic Corporation” has been recognized as the top employer in this sector, receiving 29,9% of the votes. “Ceļu satiksmes drošības direkcija” holds second place with 7,4%, maintaining its position, while “DPD Latvija” returns to third place with 6,2%.

More than 8200 respondents, or 46% of all participants, evaluated employers in the global business services sector. In total, 68 companies were mentioned, with 68% of votes concentrated among the TOP10. Four companies maintained their positions, two improved, three declined, and one returned to the TOP10 after a break.

“Circle K Business Centre” has once again been recognized as the top employer in this sector, retaining its title for the sixth consecutive year with 17,9% of the votes. The competition for second place was close, with “Accenture Latvijas filiāle” returning after a one-year break with 8,7%, while “Swedbank AB (publ) Latvijas filiāle” ranked third with 8,5%.

In the HoReCa sector (hotels, restaurants, and catering), more than 7,400 respondents participated in the employer evaluation this year, representing 41% of all survey participants. In total, more than 130 different companies were mentioned, and 90% of voters in this category selected one of the ten leading employers. This represents the highest vote concentration among all business sectors, indicating clearly defined leaders within this sector. Three companies managed to maintain their positions from the previous year, two companies from the top ten showed improvement this year, while one company entered the top ten as a newcomer.

For 2025, the catering company AS “LIDO” was recognized as the best employer in the HoReCa sector for the third time, receiving 26.1% of the votes this year. The second place was awarded to the hotel SIA “Hotel Jūrmala SPA”, which received votes from 23.3% of survey participants. Meanwhile, the third place was taken by SIA “Baltic Restaurants Latvia”, receiving 6.8% of respondents’ votes.

The Construction category was included in the TOP Employer survey for the second time, taking into account the sector’s significance in Latvia’s economy and labor market. More than 7,400 respondents participated in evaluating employers in this category, representing 41% of all survey participants. In total, more than 160 different companies were mentioned, and 77% of voters selected one of the ten highest-rated employers. This year, two companies in the top ten maintained their positions, while four companies moved up in the ranking.

For 2025, VSIA “Latvijas Valsts ceļi” was recognized as the best employer in the construction sector, receiving 15.3% of the votes. Second place was awarded to SIA “BINDERS, Ceļu būves firma”, which received votes from 10.8% of survey participants. Third place, for the second consecutive year, was taken by the construction and structural manufacturing company AS “UPB”, receiving 6.5% of respondents’ votes.

In the evaluation of employers in the Kurzeme region, more than 7,400 respondents participated this year, representing 41% of all survey participants. In total, more than 100 companies were mentioned, and half, or 50%, of voters in this category selected one of the employers included in the top ten. Overall, this category is characterized by significant changes: no company managed to retain its previous position, two companies moved up in the ranking, while two companies made their debut in the top list this year.

For 2025, SIA “BRABANTIA LATVIA” was recognized as the best workplace in the Kurzeme region for the first time, receiving 7.3% of the votes. Second place was awarded to the meat processing company SIA “Kurzemes Gaļsaimnieks”, with support from 6.1% of respondents. Third place, entering the top three for the third time, was taken by the food retail company AS “DIĀNA”, receiving support from 6% of respondents.

In the evaluation of employers in the Zemgale region, 7,550 respondents participated this year, representing 42% of all survey participants and making it the most popular region in terms of engagement level. In total, 93 different companies were mentioned, and 80% of the votes were concentrated among the top ten employers. Nine companies managed to retain their previous positions, while one company made its debut in the top list this year.

For 2025, the domestic fuel retail company AS “Virši-A” was recognized as the best workplace in the Zemgale region for the third consecutive year, receiving 17.6% of respondents’ votes. Second place was retained by the food production company AS “Dobeles dzirnavnieks”, with 13% support. Meanwhile, third place was secured by another food production company, AS “Balticovo”, which received votes from 10% of survey participants.

In the evaluation of employers in the Vidzeme region, more than 7,400 respondents participated this year, representing 41% of all survey participants. In total, 99 companies were mentioned. Among voters in this category, 72% selected one of the employers included in the top ten. Of the TOP 10 companies, five managed to retain their previous positions, three moved up in the ranking, and one returned to the top list after a break.

For 2025, the bakery production company SIA “Fazer Latvija” was recognized as the best workplace in the Vidzeme region for the third time, receiving 18.8% of survey participants’ votes. Second place was retained by the brewery AS “Cēsu alus”, with 13.8% of votes in this category. Third place, maintaining its position, was awarded to the manufacturing company AS “Valmieras stikla šķiedra”, which received votes from 7.6% of respondents.

In the evaluation of employers in the Latgale region, more than 7,200 respondents participated this year, representing 40% of all survey participants. In total, more than 60 companies were mentioned, and 80% of the votes were concentrated among the ten most popular employers, which is the highest concentration rate among all regions. Three companies retained their previous positions, three improved their ranking, while two companies returned to the top ten this year.

For 2025, the bakery production company AS “Latvijas maiznieks” was recognized as the best employer in the Latgale region for the twelfth consecutive year, receiving 31.5% of the votes—the most decisive first-place result among all regions. Second place was retained by the dairy processing company AS “Preiļu siers” with 8% of the votes, while third place was also retained by the meat processing company SIA “Rēzeknes gaļas kombināts”, which entered the top three for the eleventh time, receiving support from 7.3% of respondents.