Sweden Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
Sweden's unemployment rate was 8.69% in 2025, ranked 138th globally. This represents a 4.1% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1980–2025.
Overview
Sweden's unemployment rate stood at 8.69% in 2025, a rise of +0.34pp from 2024. The IMF projects 8.99% by 2025. Sweden ranked 138th globally.
Sweden's unemployment rate has exhibited significant fluctuations over the past 46 years, with a marked increase from the all-time trough of 2.02% in 1989 to the all-time peak of 10.36% in 1997. The unemployment rate has generally trended upward since the trough, although it has declined somewhat in recent years, reaching 8.69% in 2025. This still positions Sweden above its peer countries, with Greece and Belize also experiencing unemployment rates above 8%, and Chile at 8.97%. Comparatively, Türkiye's unemployment rate in 2025 is slightly lower at 8.52%. The relatively high unemployment rate in Sweden in 2025 is a concern, and a sustained decline in the rate would require a robust labor market and economic growth. A significant reduction in unemployment could be achieved through policies promoting job creation and education investments, which would help alleviate the current high unemployment rate and improve Sweden's competitiveness.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | 7.88% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | 7.98% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | 8.13% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | 8.28% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | 8.43% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | 8.99% | - | - |
| 2025 | 8.69% | +0.34pp | #138 |
| 2024 | 8.40% | +0.73pp | #140 |
| 2023 | 7.61% | +0.13pp | #133 |
| 2022 | 7.42% | −1.48pp | #131 |
| 2021 | 8.80% | +0.32pp | #132 |
| 2020 | 8.29% | +1.38pp | #124 |
| 2019 | 6.83% | +0.40pp | #123 |
| 2018 | 6.37% | −0.42pp | #114 |
| 2017 | 6.72% | −0.34pp | #112 |
| 2016 | 6.99% | −0.53pp | #107 |
| 2015 | 7.43% | −0.61pp | #111 |
| 2014 | 7.95% | −0.15pp | #118 |
| 2013 | 8.05% | −0.02pp | #115 |
| 2012 | 7.98% | +0.10pp | #116 |
| 2011 | 7.80% | −0.90pp | #114 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Sweden matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2007. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw unemployment rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
The provided headlines do not offer direct economic developments or specific policy changes that clearly relate to Sweden's current unemployment rate of 8.69%. The first headline details broader EU market movements and company-specific news without direct implications for Sweden's labor market. The second headline discusses Sweden's geopolitical role, which is a diplomatic observation rather than an immediate economic driver for unemployment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sweden's unemployment rate was 8.69% in 2025. Ranked 138th globally. This represents a 4.1% increase from the previous year.
Sweden's unemployment rate peaked at 10.36% in 1997.
The lowest unemployment rate in Sweden was 2.03% in 1989.
Sweden ranks 138th globally in unemployment rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Sweden's unemployment rate is projected to reach 8.99% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The unemployment rate of Sweden in 2025 was 8.69%. This ranks 138th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_sweden_unemployment-rate,
title = {Sweden Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/sweden/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}