Switzerland Agriculture Employment
Employment in agriculture SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS
Switzerland's agriculture employment was 2.24% in 2025, ranked 32nd globally. This represents a 2.3% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Switzerland's agriculture employment stood at 2.24% in 2025, a decline of +0.05% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 2.23% by 2026. Switzerland ranked 32nd globally.
Switzerland’s share of the labour force employed in agriculture fell from 4.49 percent in 1991 to a low of 2.22 percent in 2022, marking the all‑time trough after a brief resurgence that peaked at 5.09 percent in 1999. By 2025 the proportion had risen marginally to 2.24 percent, placing the country 32nd globally and slightly above peers such as Australia (2.18 percent) and France (2.33 percent). The long‑term decline reflects structural shifts toward high‑value manufacturing and services, as well as the limited arable land and high productivity of Swiss farms, which have absorbed output gains without requiring additional workers. Technological adoption, consolidation of holdings and stringent environmental regulations have further reduced labor demand. Continued investment in precision agriculture and potential policy incentives for sustainable farming could modestly reverse the downward trajectory, but demographic aging and competition from imports are likely to keep the employment share near its current level.
Data & projection
| Year | Agriculture Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 2.21% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 2.22% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 2.23% | - | - |
| 2025 | 2.24% | −0.05% | #32 |
| 2024 | 2.30% | +0.05% | #32 |
| 2023 | 2.24% | +0.02% | #30 |
| 2022 | 2.22% | −0.12% | #29 |
| 2021 | 2.33% | −0.17% | #28 |
| 2020 | 2.50% | −0.03% | #30 |
| 2019 | 2.54% | −0.47% | #30 |
| 2018 | 3.01% | −0.12% | #34 |
| 2017 | 3.14% | −0.14% | #34 |
| 2016 | 3.27% | −0.12% | #33 |
| 2015 | 3.39% | −0.14% | #33 |
| 2014 | 3.53% | −0.00% | #34 |
| 2013 | 3.53% | +0.05% | #35 |
| 2012 | 3.48% | −0.13% | #35 |
| 2011 | 3.61% | +0.06% | #33 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Switzerland matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2016. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw agriculture employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Switzerland's agriculture employment was 2.24% in 2025. Ranked 32nd globally. This represents a 2.3% decrease from the previous year.
Switzerland's agriculture employment peaked at 5.09% in 1999.
The lowest agriculture employment in Switzerland was 2.22% in 2022.
Switzerland ranks 32nd globally in agriculture employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Switzerland's agriculture employment is projected to reach 2.23% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The agriculture employment of Switzerland in 2025 was 2.24%. This ranks 32nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_switzerland_agriculture-employment,
title = {Switzerland Agriculture Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/switzerland/agriculture-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}