Electricians at work. The construction sector is affected by a skills shortage
Keystone
The record-low unemployment rate of 2.4% is expected to lead to a shortage of skilled professionals. Some industries and businesses are already feeling the squeeze.
Last May, 110,000 people were registered as unemployed – 18% less compared with the previous year. The situation has improved particularly for young people (15- to 24-year-olds) and those over 50.
“In the hospitality industry, it’s already very difficult to find enough staff. That’s why we are hesitant to dismiss unsuitable employees, because we know it will not be easy to replace them,” a Lausanne restaurant owner told swissinfo.ch.
More
More
Swiss jobless rate drops to 2.4%
This content was published on
The unemployment rate in Switzerland has reached a new nadir – just 2.4%, according to latest official statistics.
Some cantons in central Switzerland, such as Obwalden, have an unemployment rate of less than 1%, forcing businesses to decline orders.
Nationwide, the list of occupations affected by a labour shortage includes the IT industry, law, metal processing, mechanical engineering, transport, construction and the health sector.
Within IT, the situation is likely to change somewhat after Nestlé announced it would cut 580 IT jobs in Switzerland.
‘Acute shortage’
Oliver Adler, chief economist at Credit Suisse, said in an interview with the French-language newspaper La Tribune de GenèveExternal link that half of all companies looking to fill vacancies were already affected by the lack of skilled workers.
Adler is the author of the study “Strategies for coping with the skilled labour shortage”, which surveyed 90,000 small and medium-sized Swiss companies.
He found that the shortage “was a very important factor in determining the success of a business”.
A quarter of the businesses Adler surveyed had even suffered from “an acute shortage”, he said.
Negative impact
A general, nationwide shortage of skilled workers would have a particularly negative impact on Switzerland as a business location, Adler said.
It is possible to recruit staff from abroad, and there are currently over 320,000 registered cross-border commuters working in Switzerland.
But on July 1 this year, measures “against mass migration” will come into force. These are the result of a vote on a popular initiative in 2014 and will make it harder for companies to employ workers from abroad.
It will oblige companies to inform regional employment services about any job vacancies in sectors with an unemployment rate of more than 8% before advertising them in other countries.
More
More
Government approves list of jobs to be advertised locally
This content was published on
The Swiss Federal Council has approved the list of professions for which vacancies must be advertised at the local unemployment office.
What factors should be taken into account when inheriting Swiss citizenship abroad?
Should there be a limit to the passing on of Swiss citizenship? Or is the current practice too strict and it should still be possible to register after the age of 25?
Is your place of origin, your Heimatort, important to you?
Every Swiss citizen has a Heimatort, a place of origin, but many have never visited theirs. What’s your relationship with your Heimatort? What does it mean to you?
This content was published on
The new regulation targets plants developed through new breeding technologies that don’t include transgenic genetic material.
WHO faces $1.8 billion budget shortfall amid US withdrawal
This content was published on
The 2026-2027 budget for the Geneva-based organisation has been reduced to $4.2 billion, on top of this year’s $600 million shortfall.
Swiss government proposes lifting nuclear power ban
This content was published on
While the centre-right and the energy sector are welcoming the Swiss government’s counter-proposal, the Greens are threatening to call a referendum.
Switzerland provisionally signs agreement on EU programmes
This content was published on
The agreement on EU programmes covers Switzerland’s involvement in initiatives like Horizon Europe, Euratom, ITER, Digital Europe, Erasmus+, and EU4Health.
Record-breaking winter for Swiss tourism driven by foreign visitors
This content was published on
A survey by Switzerland Tourism suggests this winter has outdone last season's record, largely thanks to foreign visitors and favourable weather conditions.
Swiss study predicts rise in global antibiotic use in farming
This content was published on
Global antibiotic use in livestock farming could rise by 2040, says a study by FAO and the University of Zurich. Switzerland expects minimal change.
Initiative calls for 36-week parental leave in Switzerland
This content was published on
The initiative proposes 18 weeks of non-transferable leave per parent to be taken alternately within ten years of implementation.
Report finds partial unemployment saves jobs in times of crisis
This content was published on
According to a new study, partial unemployment and a reduction of work hours can save jobs and cut down on overall social benefits paid out.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.