Sweden Services Employment
Employment in services SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS
Sweden's services employment was 81.41% in 2025, ranked 166th globally. This represents a 0.3% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Sweden's services employment stood at 81.41% in 2025, a rise of +0.24% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 81.84% by 2026. Sweden ranked 166th globally.
Sweden’s share of employment in services rose steadily over the 35‑year span from 69.22 in 1991 to a record 81.41 in 2025, placing the country at rank 166 globally. The upward trajectory reflects the long‑standing structural shift toward a knowledge‑intensive economy, with services now accounting for more than four‑fifths of total jobs. This level is virtually identical to that of Malta (81.39) and only slightly below Cyprus (81.58), underscoring Sweden’s alignment with other advanced, small‑open economies that have similarly high service‑sector participation. The all‑time peak coincides with the post‑pandemic recovery, when demand for digital, health and professional services expanded rapidly, while the trough in 1991 occurred during a period of broader labour market contraction across Europe. Given the persistence of digitalisation, demographic ageing and the continued growth of high‑value services, Sweden is likely to maintain a service‑employment share near the current peak, unless disruptive policy shifts or a major external shock alter the underlying demand patterns.
Data & projection
| Year | Services Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 82.49% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 82.17% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 81.84% | - | - |
| 2025 | 81.41% | +0.24% | #166 |
| 2024 | 81.17% | +0.22% | #166 |
| 2023 | 80.95% | +0.02% | #168 |
| 2022 | 80.93% | +1.01% | #171 |
| 2021 | 79.92% | −0.04% | #171 |
| 2020 | 79.96% | +0.07% | #171 |
| 2019 | 79.89% | −0.20% | #172 |
| 2018 | 80.09% | +0.08% | #171 |
| 2017 | 80.01% | +0.09% | #172 |
| 2016 | 79.91% | +0.24% | #173 |
| 2015 | 79.68% | +0.25% | #172 |
| 2014 | 79.42% | +0.62% | #173 |
| 2013 | 78.81% | +0.51% | #172 |
| 2012 | 78.30% | +0.21% | #172 |
| 2011 | 78.09% | +0.09% | #172 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Sweden matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2007. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw services employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Sweden's services employment was 81.41% in 2025. Ranked 166th globally. This represents a 0.3% increase from the previous year.
Sweden's services employment peaked at 81.41% in 2025.
The lowest services employment in Sweden was 69.22% in 1991.
Sweden ranks 166th globally in services employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Sweden's services employment is projected to reach 81.84% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The services employment of Sweden in 2025 was 81.41%. This ranks 166th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_sweden_services-employment,
title = {Sweden Services Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/sweden/services-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}