Tuesday, August 19, 2025 – 21:30
(KEYSTONE/Urs Flueeler)..
In the 2ᵉ quarter of 2025, the number of people in employment in Switzerland increased by 0.6 % compared to the same period last year. At the same time, the unemployment rate within the meaning of the International Labor Organization (ILO) rose to 4.6 %. In the European Union, this rate fell slightly at 5.8 %. These data come from the Swiss active population (ESPA), published by the Federal Statistical Office (OFS).
People in employment in Switzerland
During this period, 5.361 million people had a job in Switzerland (+0.6 % in annual shift). The increase was 0.4 % in men and 0.8 % in women. Expressed in full -time equivalents, the workforce increased by 0.5 %. Compared to the 1ᵉʳ quarter 2025, the figures remained practically stable.
Swiss and foreign workforce
The number of foreign workers increased by 2.3 % to 1.873 million, while that of people of Swiss nationality decreased by 0.3 % (3.488 million). Among foreigners, a drop of 6.1 %affected short -term license holders (L license L, less than 12 months), while increase was recorded in B/L licensees (+5.6 %), cross -border workers (+13 %) and holders of a C license (+0.7 %).
Unemployment in Switzerland and EU
In the 2ᵉ quarter of 2025, 237,000 people were unemployed within the meaning of the ILO (+34,000 over one year). The unemployment rate reached 4.6 % (after 4.0 % in 2024). Corrected seasonal variations, the rate increased from 4.5 % to 4.9 % compared to the previous quarter. In the EU, it fell to 5.8 % and in the euro area at 6.1 %.
Unemployment of young people
In the 15-24-year-old tranche, unemployment in Switzerland rose from 5.9 % to 7.6 %. Conversely, it decreased in the EU and the euro zone (EU: from 14.7 % to 14.6 %; euro zone: from 14.4 % to 14.0 %).
Unemployment according to the characteristics
The rate increased both in men (3.8 % → 4.6 %) and in women (4.2 % → 4.6 %). It rose to 4.9 % among 25–49 year olds, while it fell to 3.5 % among 50–64 year olds.
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Persons with secondary II training: +1.1 point (3.6 % → 4.7 %)
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People with tertiary training: +0.5 point (3.0 % → 3.5 %)
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Without post-obligatory training: drop (7.9 % → 7.7 %)
The increase concerned both the Swiss (2.8 % → 3.3 %) and foreigners (6.9 % → 7.7 %). Among EU/AELE citizens, the rate was 5.9 %, against 12.1 % for third -party nationals.
Long -term unemployment
Over this period, 81,000 people have been unemployed for more than a year (+6,000 compared to 2024). Their share in the total nevertheless fell from 37.2 % to 34.2 %. The average duration of unemployment decreased from 242 to 188 days.
Part-time work and underemployment
The share of people in part -time employment reached 38.9 % (1.899 million, +16,000 over one year). Among them, 277,000 were in the position of underemployment (wish to work more and immediate availability). The underemployment rate was 5.4 % (+0.1 point).
More details and the full press release are available on the OFS website: BFS website.
