Swiss Unemployment Figures: A Closer Look

In December, Switzerland's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged at 2.6%, as reported by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) on Friday. This marks the third consecutive month without any fluctuation in the unemployment rate.

Rising Numbers: A Monthly and Yearly Analysis

Despite the steady rate, the number of unemployed individuals saw a significant increase. Month-on-month, there was a 7.6% rise, equating to 9,179 more people without jobs. Year-on-year, the increase was even more pronounced, with a 21.9% jump, or an additional 23,434 unemployed individuals.

Youth Unemployment: A Growing Concern

Youth unemployment also saw an uptick, with a 2.9% monthly increase (196 more individuals) and a 22.8% annual increase (2,261 more individuals) among those aged 15 to 24.

Job Seekers and Vacancies: The Bigger Picture

The total number of job seekers rose by 10,231 (5.1%) compared to the previous month, reaching 209,024. Conversely, the number of available vacancies decreased by 2,486 (7.6%) to 30,422, indicating a tightening job market.