Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Sweden
Sweden: Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) was 8.9% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Sweden, 1969–2025
Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
Sweden recorded 8.9% for unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in 2025.
That represents a change of up 9.1% on the previous year and up 17.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Sweden peaked at 11.2% in 1994 and was at its lowest, 1.3%, in 1976.
That places Sweden 36th out of 181 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Sweden, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1969 | 1.8% | — |
| 1970 | 1.4% | -25.8% |
| 1971 | 2.4% | +74.8% |
| 1972 | 2.5% | +6.1% |
| 1973 | 2.2% | -11.6% |
| 1974 | 1.7% | -25.3% |
| 1975 | 1.4% | -17.5% |
| 1976 | 1.3% | -6.1% |
| 1980 | 1.7% | +31.7% |
| 1982 | 3.0% | +76.9% |
| 1983 | 3.4% | +13.1% |
| 1984 | 3.0% | -12.3% |
| 1985 | 2.8% | -6.2% |
| 1986 | 2.2% | -19.9% |
| 1987 | 2.1% | -4.3% |
| 1989 | 1.4% | -32.3% |
| 1990 | 1.8% | +25.5% |
| 1991 | 3.6% | +98.7% |
| 1992 | 6.9% | +92.5% |
| 1993 | 11.2% | +61.0% |
| 1994 | 11.2% | +0.5% |
| 1995 | 9.8% | -12.2% |
| 1996 | 10.4% | +6.0% |
| 1997 | 11.0% | +5.1% |
| 1998 | 9.7% | -11.2% |
| 1999 | 8.3% | -15.0% |
| 2000 | 5.9% | -28.9% |
| 2001 | 5.0% | -14.6% |
| 2002 | 5.3% | +4.9% |
| 2003 | 6.1% | +14.7% |
| 2004 | 7.2% | +18.2% |
| 2005 | 7.9% | +10.1% |
| 2006 | 6.9% | -12.5% |
| 2007 | 5.9% | -14.6% |
| 2008 | 5.9% | +0.9% |
| 2009 | 8.7% | +45.8% |
| 2010 | 8.7% | +0.4% |
| 2011 | 7.8% | -9.7% |
| 2012 | 8.2% | +4.8% |
| 2013 | 8.2% | -0.2% |
| 2014 | 8.2% | -0.2% |
| 2015 | 7.6% | -7.7% |
| 2016 | 7.4% | -2.7% |
| 2017 | 7.0% | -5.3% |
| 2018 | 6.5% | -7.0% |
| 2019 | 6.7% | +3.7% |
| 2020 | 8.3% | +23.4% |
| 2021 | 8.5% | +2.6% |
| 2022 | 7.0% | -17.8% |
| 2023 | 7.4% | +5.6% |
| 2024 | 8.2% | +10.5% |
| 2025 | 8.9% | +9.1% |
Sweden compared with similar countries
- Sweden's 8.9% is above the median for high income countries, which is 4.9%, 1.8× the median. (75 countries reporting)
- Sweden's 8.9% is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 5.4%, 1.6× the median. (53 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 1.8% | 1.8% | 1.8% | 1 |
| 1970s | 1.8% | 1.3% | 2.5% | 7 |
| 1980s | 2.4% | 1.4% | 3.4% | 8 |
| 1990s | 8.4% | 1.8% | 11.2% | 10 |
| 2000s | 6.5% | 5.0% | 8.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 7.6% | 6.5% | 8.7% | 10 |
| 2020s | 8.0% | 7.0% | 8.9% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Sweden
More work & labour data for Sweden
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.0422 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.0602 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.0243 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -1.29 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.5427 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 10,837 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 788.88 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 5,587 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 5,780 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 11,367 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Sweden?
- Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Sweden was 8.9% in 2025, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest unemployment, male (% of male labor force) recorded in Sweden?
- The highest recorded value was 11.2% in 1994.
- What is the lowest unemployment, male (% of male labor force) recorded in Sweden?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.3% in 1976.
- How does Sweden rank for unemployment, male (% of male labor force)?
- Sweden ranks 36th out of 181 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment, male (% of male labor force) rising or falling in Sweden?
- Over the last ten years it is up 17.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sweden data come from?
- The figures come from Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) (national estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country.