Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Switzerland
Switzerland: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) was 4.8% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Switzerland, 1975–2025
Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
The most recent figure for unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Switzerland is 4.8%, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of up 11.5% on the previous year and up 0.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Switzerland peaked at 5.0% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 0.0%, in 1978.
Switzerland ranks 108th of 187 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, total (% of total labor force) in Switzerland, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 0.3% | — |
| 1976 | 0.7% | +133.3% |
| 1977 | 0.4% | -42.9% |
| 1978 | 0.0% | -100.0% |
| 1979 | 0.0% | — |
| 1980 | 0.0% | — |
| 1981 | 0.2% | — |
| 1982 | 0.4% | +100.0% |
| 1983 | 0.9% | +125.0% |
| 1984 | 1.1% | +22.2% |
| 1985 | 0.3% | -68.4% |
| 1986 | 0.0% | -100.0% |
| 1987 | 0.8% | — |
| 1988 | 0.0% | -100.0% |
| 1989 | 0.0% | — |
| 1990 | 2.1% | — |
| 1991 | 1.8% | -12.0% |
| 1992 | 2.3% | +28.9% |
| 1993 | 3.6% | +51.5% |
| 1994 | 3.6% | +0.8% |
| 1995 | 3.1% | -13.6% |
| 1996 | 3.7% | +19.1% |
| 1997 | 4.1% | +12.0% |
| 1998 | 3.6% | -13.5% |
| 1999 | 3.1% | -14.4% |
| 2000 | 2.7% | -12.9% |
| 2001 | 2.5% | -6.3% |
| 2002 | 2.9% | +17.4% |
| 2003 | 4.1% | +40.8% |
| 2004 | 4.3% | +4.8% |
| 2005 | 4.4% | +2.8% |
| 2006 | 4.0% | -10.0% |
| 2007 | 3.6% | -8.9% |
| 2008 | 3.4% | -8.0% |
| 2009 | 4.1% | +22.7% |
| 2010 | 4.8% | +17.0% |
| 2011 | 4.4% | -8.3% |
| 2012 | 4.5% | +1.9% |
| 2013 | 4.7% | +5.7% |
| 2014 | 4.8% | +1.7% |
| 2015 | 4.8% | -0.5% |
| 2016 | 4.9% | +2.4% |
| 2017 | 4.8% | -2.5% |
| 2018 | 4.7% | -1.8% |
| 2019 | 4.4% | -6.8% |
| 2020 | 4.8% | +9.6% |
| 2021 | 5.0% | +4.1% |
| 2022 | 4.1% | -17.8% |
| 2023 | 4.0% | -1.9% |
| 2024 | 4.3% | +7.4% |
| 2025 | 4.8% | +11.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 0.3% | 0.0% | 0.7% | 5 |
| 1980s | 0.4% | 0.0% | 1.1% | 10 |
| 1990s | 3.1% | 1.8% | 4.1% | 10 |
| 2000s | 3.6% | 2.5% | 4.4% | 10 |
| 2010s | 4.7% | 4.4% | 4.9% | 10 |
| 2020s | 4.5% | 4.0% | 5.0% | 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, total (% of total labor force) in Switzerland?
- Unemployment, total (% of total 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, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Switzerland?
- The highest recorded value was 5.0% in 2021.
- What is the lowest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Switzerland?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0% in 1978.
- How does Switzerland rank for unemployment, total (% of total labor force)?
- Switzerland ranks 108th out of 187 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) rising or falling in Switzerland?
- Over the last ten years it is up 0.8%. 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, total (% of total 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.