Unemployment in Sweden
Sweden: Unemployment was 427.45 in 2025. ▲ Rising
Unemployment in Sweden, 2004–2025
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
Sweden recorded 427.45 for unemployment in 2025. That is the highest value across all 22 years on record.
The figure is up 13.0% on the previous year and up 25.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment in Sweden peaked at 427.45 in 2025 and was at its lowest, 196.78, in 2007.
Sweden ranks 21st of 58 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 22 years of available data.
Unemployment in Sweden, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 329.5 | — |
| 2005 | 302.33 | -8.2% |
| 2006 | 230.33 | -23.8% |
| 2007 | 196.78 | -14.6% |
| 2008 | 285.74 | +45.2% |
| 2009 | 390.72 | +36.7% |
| 2010 | 356.9 | -8.7% |
| 2011 | 357.19 | +0.1% |
| 2012 | 364.07 | +1.9% |
| 2013 | 423.37 | +16.3% |
| 2014 | 395.61 | -6.6% |
| 2015 | 340.42 | -14.0% |
| 2016 | 346.48 | +1.8% |
| 2017 | 310.49 | -10.4% |
| 2018 | 337.6 | +8.7% |
| 2019 | 289.63 | -14.2% |
| 2020 | 386.45 | +33.4% |
| 2021 | 421.16 | +9.0% |
| 2022 | 298.46 | -29.1% |
| 2023 | 319.85 | +7.2% |
| 2024 | 378.3 | +18.3% |
| 2025 | 427.45 | +13.0% |
Sweden compared with similar countries
- Sweden's 427.45 is above the median for high income countries, which is 266.61, 1.6× the median. (36 countries reporting)
- Sweden's 427.45 is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 266.61, 1.6× the median. (34 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 289.23 | 196.78 | 390.72 | 6 |
| 2010s | 352.18 | 289.63 | 423.37 | 10 |
| 2020s | 371.95 | 298.46 | 427.45 | 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 in Sweden?
- Unemployment in Sweden was 427.45 in 2025, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest unemployment recorded in Sweden?
- The highest recorded value was 427.45 in 2025.
- What is the lowest unemployment recorded in Sweden?
- The lowest recorded value was 196.78 in 2007.
- How does Sweden rank for unemployment?
- Sweden ranks 21st out of 58 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment rising or falling in Sweden?
- Over the last ten years it is up 25.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Sweden data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Unemployment (previous ILO definition - ICLS13). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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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 is based on the 13th ICLS definitions. For time series comparability, it includes countries that have implemented the 19th ICLS standards, for which data are also available in the Work Statistics -- 19th ICLS (WORK) database. The unemployed comprise all persons of working age who were: a) without work during the reference period, i.e. were not in paid employment or self-employment; b) currently available for work, i.e. were available for paid employment or self-employment during the reference period; and c) seeking work, i.e. had taken specific steps in a specified recent period to seek paid employment or self-employment. The term disability, as defined in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), is used as an umbrella term, covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. For measurement purposes, a person with disability is defined as a person who is limited in the kind or amount of activities that he or she can do because of ongoing difficulties due to a long-term physical condition, mental condition or health problem. For more information, refer to the Disability Labour Market Indicators (DLMI) database description.