By the end of September 2024, 65.000 more jobs were filled in Switzerland compared to a year ago. Though Swiss companies are finding it easier to fill roles than during 2022 and 2023, many sectors are still struggling to find the workers they need.

Swiss job market continues to grow

According to the data from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), in the third quarter of 2024 total employment in Switzerland rose by 1,2 percent compared to the same period in 2023. As of the end of September, an estimated 5.528 million people were plying their trade in the alpine nation, a 65.800 job increase compared to a year ago and 10.700 more compared to June 2024.

The majority of new jobs in Switzerland were reported in the service or tertiary sector of the economy at 58.200, followed by those in industry and construction (7.600). 

Which workers in Switzerland are the most sought-after?

According to the official FSO barometer - which compares the number of companies looking to hire versus the number looking to cut back - the best job prospects are found in the IT sector. They were followed by transport and logistics, communications, banking and finance, technicians and healthcare. Canton Zurich and eastern Switzerland are the regions set to offer the most new roles.

By contrast, employment prospects were worst for those working in gastronomy and Swiss watchmaking.

Many Swiss companies still struggling to fill jobs

At the same time, there has been a slight easing in the worker shortage in Switzerland. At the end of September, 98.800 vacancies were reported, a 14.000 or 12,4 percent decrease from the number of open positions a year ago. 

However, 37,9 percent of companies still said they were still struggling to fill skilled positions. With the worker shortage in Switzerland set to get worse over time, it is likely that companies will increasingly have to look abroad to fill jobs, and offer higher salaries to compete for the top applicants.

Which job sectors in Switzerland have the most vacancies?

In terms of sheer numbers, the most vacancies are in the Swiss healthcare sector at approximately 17.400 open positions. It was followed by housing and construction (15.500), manufacturing (15.000), and vehicle sales and repairs (9.700).

As of the end of September, Canton Zurich has the most open vacancies at 23.500, followed by the Mittelland (20.300, Bern, Fribourg, Jura, Neuchâtel, Solothurn) and northwestern Switzerland (15.900, Basel-Land, Basel-Stadt, Aargau).

Will Swiss firms be looking to hire more in future?

Looking ahead, the FSO found that the companies aiming to increase the size of their workforce in the short term account for 10,9 percent of total jobs in Switzerland, a slight decrease on the 12,4 percent reported last year.

At the same time, companies which make up 5 percent of the total workforce indicated plans to cut jobs, a slight increase compared to a year ago (4,5 percent). For more information about the study, check out the official FSO website.

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