Potential labour force (current ILO definition - ICLS19) in Switzerland
Switzerland: Potential labour force (current ILO definition - ICLS19) was 217.71 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Potential labour force (current ILO definition - ICLS19) in Switzerland, 2014–2025
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
In 2025, potential labour force (current ilo definition - icls19) in Switzerland stood at 217.71.
The figure is down 0.8% on the previous year and up 418.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, potential labour force (current ilo definition - icls19) in Switzerland peaked at 230.38 in 2021 and was at its lowest, 36.4, in 2020.
That places Switzerland 18th out of 61 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Potential labour force (current ILO definition - ICLS19) in Switzerland, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 40.06 | — |
| 2015 | 41.96 | +4.7% |
| 2016 | 43.09 | +2.7% |
| 2017 | 39.29 | -8.8% |
| 2018 | 40.4 | +2.8% |
| 2019 | 42.46 | +5.1% |
| 2020 | 36.4 | -14.3% |
| 2021 | 230.38 | +533.0% |
| 2022 | 224.66 | -2.5% |
| 2023 | 225.42 | +0.3% |
| 2024 | 219.36 | -2.7% |
| 2025 | 217.71 | -0.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 41.21 | 39.29 | 43.09 | 6 |
| 2020s | 192.32 | 36.4 | 230.38 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Switzerland
More work & labour data for Switzerland
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.0651 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.0485 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.0817 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.4 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.6452 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 8,038 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 1,842 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 4,568 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 4,558 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 9,126 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is potential labour force (current ilo definition - icls19) in Switzerland?
- Potential labour force (current ilo definition - icls19) in Switzerland was 217.71 in 2025, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest potential labour force (current ilo definition - icls19) recorded in Switzerland?
- The highest recorded value was 230.38 in 2021.
- What is the lowest potential labour force (current ilo definition - icls19) recorded in Switzerland?
- The lowest recorded value was 36.4 in 2020.
- How does Switzerland rank for potential labour force (current ilo definition - icls19)?
- Switzerland ranks 18th out of 61 countries with data for 2025.
- Is potential labour force (current ilo definition - icls19) rising or falling in Switzerland?
- Over the last ten years it is up 418.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Switzerland data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Potential labour force (current ILO definition - ICLS19) (15+). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
With the aim of promoting international comparability, statistics presented on ILOSTAT are based on standard international definitions wherever feasible and may differ from official national figures. This series includes only countries for which the 19th ICLS definitions are applied. The potential labour force refers to persons not in employment who express an interest in this form of work but for whom existing conditions limit their active job search and/or their availability. This group is used to calculate alternative measures of labour underutilization. For more information, refer to the Work Statistics -- 19th ICLS (WORK) database description.