(11.12.2024) Companies in Switzerland are finding it easier to recruit, and the labor market remains strong. In the third quarter of 2024, the number of jobs in the Swiss economy grew by 1.2% (+65,800) compared to the previous year, according to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
The country recorded nearly 5.53 million jobs, including 4.32 million full-time equivalents (+58,600 / +1.4%) in the third quarter of 2024. Women made up 46.6% of the total workforce and 69.6% of part-time employees.
Compared to the previous quarter, business employment rose by 0.2%, equivalent to an increase of 10,700 jobs.
However, the number of vacant positions dropped significantly year-on-year (14,000 / -12.4%), affecting both the service sector (-12.2%) and industry and construction (-13.1%).
The overall vacancy rate now stands at 1.8% (2.1% in the secondary sector and 1.7% in the tertiary sector). Furthermore, difficulties in recruiting skilled personnel have slightly eased between the third quarters of 2023 and 2024 (-2.8 points, to 37.9%).
Employment forecasts, however, indicate a slightly less optimistic outlook than in 2023. The proportion of companies planning to expand their workforce accounts for 10.9% of total employment, down from 12.4% a year earlier, while those planning reductions make up 5%, compared to 4.5% in the same period in 2023.
The majority of jobs remain in the service sector (4.39 million / +1.3%), while industry and construction employ nearly 1.14 million people (+0.7%).
Last modification 10.12.2024
