Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Switzerland
Switzerland: Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) was 4.8% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
4.8%
Change on year
up 16.4%
World rank
92nd
of 181 countries
All-time high
4.8%
in 2016
All-time low
0.0%
in 1978
Years of data
51
1975–2025
Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Switzerland, 1975–2025
Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
Switzerland recorded 4.8% for unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in 2025.
The figure is up 16.4% on the previous year and up 2.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Switzerland peaked at 4.8% in 2016 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 1978.
Switzerland ranks 92nd of 181 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Switzerland, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 0.4% | — |
| 1976 | 0.8% | +100.0% |
| 1977 | 0.4% | -50.0% |
| 1978 | 0.0% | -100.0% |
| 1979 | 0.0% | — |
| 1980 | 0.0% | — |
| 1981 | 0.2% | — |
| 1982 | 0.4% | +100.0% |
| 1983 | 0.8% | +100.0% |
| 1984 | 1.0% | +25.0% |
| 1985 | 0.3% | -69.8% |
| 1986 | 0.0% | -100.0% |
| 1987 | 0.6% | — |
| 1988 | 0.0% | -100.0% |
| 1989 | 0.0% | — |
| 1990 | 1.7% | — |
| 1991 | 1.2% | -29.6% |
| 1992 | 1.9% | +56.9% |
| 1993 | 2.9% | +53.1% |
| 1994 | 3.1% | +6.9% |
| 1995 | 2.7% | -13.1% |
| 1996 | 3.4% | +25.7% |
| 1997 | 4.3% | +26.9% |
| 1998 | 3.2% | -26.2% |
| 1999 | 2.7% | -15.4% |
| 2000 | 2.3% | -14.2% |
| 2001 | 1.7% | -25.7% |
| 2002 | 2.8% | +63.4% |
| 2003 | 3.8% | +37.0% |
| 2004 | 3.9% | +3.5% |
| 2005 | 3.9% | -1.5% |
| 2006 | 3.4% | -12.5% |
| 2007 | 2.9% | -14.3% |
| 2008 | 2.8% | -3.3% |
| 2009 | 3.8% | +33.5% |
| 2010 | 4.5% | +19.0% |
| 2011 | 4.1% | -8.9% |
| 2012 | 4.3% | +5.0% |
| 2013 | 4.6% | +7.4% |
| 2014 | 4.7% | +1.9% |
| 2015 | 4.7% | +0.3% |
| 2016 | 4.8% | +2.9% |
| 2017 | 4.6% | -5.6% |
| 2018 | 4.4% | -4.4% |
| 2019 | 4.1% | -5.8% |
| 2020 | 4.7% | +13.2% |
| 2021 | 4.8% | +3.4% |
| 2022 | 3.9% | -19.1% |
| 2023 | 3.8% | -1.6% |
| 2024 | 4.1% | +8.3% |
| 2025 | 4.8% | +16.4% |
Switzerland compared with similar countries
- Switzerland's 4.8% is below the median for high income countries, which is 4.9%, 98% of the median. (75 countries reporting)
- Switzerland's 4.8% is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 5.4%, 89% of the median. (53 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 0.3% | 0.0% | 0.8% | 5 |
| 1980s | 0.3% | 0.0% | 1.0% | 10 |
| 1990s | 2.7% | 1.2% | 4.3% | 10 |
| 2000s | 3.1% | 1.7% | 3.9% | 10 |
| 2010s | 4.5% | 4.1% | 4.8% | 10 |
| 2020s | 4.4% | 3.8% | 4.8% | 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 unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Switzerland?
- Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Switzerland was 4.8% 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 Switzerland?
- The highest recorded value was 4.8% in 2016.
- What is the lowest unemployment, male (% of male labor force) recorded in Switzerland?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 1978.
- How does Switzerland rank for unemployment, male (% of male labor force)?
- Switzerland ranks 92nd out of 181 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment, male (% of male labor force) rising or falling in Switzerland?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Switzerland 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.
Download this data
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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.