Switzerland Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
Switzerland's unemployment rate was 4.87% in 2025, ranked 82nd globally. This represents a 104.2% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1980–2025.
Overview
Switzerland's unemployment rate stood at 4.87% in 2025, a rise of +2.49pp from 2024. The IMF projects 2.87% by 2025. Switzerland ranked 82nd globally.
Switzerland’s unemployment rate has remained modest over the 46‑year span from 1980 to 2025, rising from a low of 0.21% in the earliest year to a peak of 5.01% in 2021 before easing to 4.87% in 2025, placing the country 82nd globally. The post‑pandemic surge to 5.01% marked the highest level since the series began, yet the subsequent decline to 4.87% mirrors the modest fluctuations typical of a highly diversified, high‑skill labour market. Compared with peers of similar ranking, Paraguay recorded 4.80% and Honduras 4.92% in the same year, indicating that Switzerland’s labour market performance is broadly aligned with other economies experiencing comparable cyclical pressures. The long‑term trough of 0.19% in 1981 underscores the historical capacity of the Swiss economy to sustain very low joblessness during periods of strong demand. Continued resilience will depend on the interplay of wage dynamics, sectoral shifts toward technology, and external demand, suggesting that the unemployment rate is likely to remain within a narrow band unless major structural shocks occur.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2030* IMF | 2.80% | - | - |
| 2029* IMF | 2.80% | - | - |
| 2028* IMF | 2.80% | - | - |
| 2027* IMF | 2.85% | - | - |
| 2026* IMF | 3.07% | - | - |
| 2025* IMF | 2.87% | - | - |
| 2025 | 4.87% | +2.49pp | #82 |
| 2024 | 4.34% | +2.36pp | #79 |
| 2023 | 4.04% | +1.88pp | #77 |
| 2022 | 4.12% | +1.13pp | #70 |
| 2021 | 5.01% | +1.84pp | #70 |
| 2020 | 4.82% | +2.51pp | #61 |
| 2019 | 4.39% | +1.85pp | #70 |
| 2018 | 4.71% | +1.63pp | #79 |
| 2017 | 4.80% | +1.47pp | #77 |
| 2016 | 4.92% | +1.74pp | #75 |
| 2015 | 4.80% | +1.76pp | #70 |
| 2014 | 4.83% | +1.67pp | #69 |
| 2013 | 4.75% | +1.84pp | #67 |
| 2012 | 4.49% | +1.65pp | #67 |
| 2011 | 4.41% | +0.89pp | #63 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Switzerland matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2016. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw unemployment rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Switzerland's unemployment rate was 4.87% in 2025. Ranked 82nd globally. This represents a 104.2% increase from the previous year.
Switzerland's unemployment rate peaked at 5.01% in 2021.
The lowest unemployment rate in Switzerland was 0.19% in 1981.
Switzerland ranks 82nd globally in unemployment rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Switzerland's unemployment rate is projected to reach 2.87% by 2025 based on IMF projection.
The unemployment rate of Switzerland in 2025 was 4.87%. This ranks 82nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_switzerland_unemployment-rate,
title = {Switzerland Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/switzerland/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}