The myth of Switzerland is shaken: 152,000 people out of work (cross-border guide)

Context

The myth of Switzerland is shaken: 152,000 people out of work The Swiss labour market opens the year with a warning signal. According to the latest data published by the State Secretariat for the Economy (SECO), in January 2026 the unemployment rate in Switzerland rose to 3.2%, marking the highest value in the last five years. This increase in the unemployment rate is a warning sign for the Ticino labour market. According to data from the finance department of the Canton of Ticino, in January 2026 there are 152,000 unemployed people in Switzerland, of which 22,000 are residents of the Canton of Ticino. This means that 14.5% of the unemployed people in Switzerland reside in the Canton of Ticino. According to SECO data, the unemployment rate is highest among young people between 20 and 29 years old, which is 7.5%, while between 30 and 39 years old it is 5.2%. Moreover, the unemployment rate is higher among women (3.5%) than men (2.9%). The Canton of Ticino has already taken steps to address the situation. According to the Action Plan for Jobs (2023-2027), the Canton of Ticino plans to increase investments in training and education to help unemployed people find employment. In addition, the Canton of Ticino has also planned to increase incentives for companies that hire people without jobs. According to data from the Federal Tax Service (SIF), 2025 was a difficult year for Ticino businesses. In addition, the Canton of Ticino has also planned to increase incentives for companies that hire people without jobs. According to data from the finance department of the Canton of Ticino, 2025 was a difficult year for Ticino businesses. According to data from the finance department of the Canton of Ticino, 2025 was a year in which Ticino companies experienced a 10% increase in labour costs. This increase in labour costs is due to the increase in the unemployment rate and the lack of skilled workers. To help Ticino businesses deal with the situation, the Canton of Ticino has planned to increase incentives for companies investing in training and education. In addition, the Canton of Ticino has also planned to increase incentives for companies that hire people without jobs. Operational checklists: - Increase investments in training and education to help unemployed people find employment. - Increase incentives for companies that hire people out of work. - Increase incentives for companies investing in training and education. - Reduce labour and material costs for Ticino companies. - Increase the competitiveness of Ticino companies. Concrete examples:

Operational details

The myth of Switzerland is shaken: 152,000 people out of work

The steady increase recorded in recent months (from 2.9% in November to 3.1% in December) brings the absolute number of unemployed to 152,300 units, a level not seen since April 2021. This figure, although not yet a record, represents a worrying trend for the Ticino economy.

According to data from the Labour Service (SL), 60% of the unemployed are between the ages of 25 and 44. 📊 This means that many young people in Ticino are facing a crisis of confidence in their professional future, which can have long-term consequences on their career and quality of life.

The Union of Workers of the Canton of Ticino (SLCT) expressed concern about the situation and called on the government to take urgent measures to support the disadvantaged. “Urgent action is needed to prevent the labour crisis from turning into a social crisis,” said SLCT Secretary General Stefano Ruffieux.

According to ISTAT, 40% of the unemployed live in the Lugano region, where unemployment is 4.2%. The Bellinzona region follows with 3.5% unemployment. This means that the most affected areas are those with a greater presence of companies in the manufacturing sector, such as the Chiasso area.

The labour crisis is not only a problem for individuals, but also for the Canton's economy.

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Key points

The myth of Switzerland is shaken: 152,000 people out of work

At the same time, there was a sharp increase in vacancies announced at the URC, reaching 48,900 (+36.1% compared to the previous month). This' mismatch 'between supply and demand indicates that, despite the availability of positions, the skills required by the market struggle to find immediate feedback in the profile of available candidates.

The phenomenon is particularly evident in the Canton of Ticino, where unemployment is one of the main concerns. According to data from the Statistical Office of the Canton of Ticino, 25,467 vacancies were registered in 2022, an increase of 15% compared to 2021. However, only 45.6% of these positions were filled by Ticino workers, while 54.4% were filled by foreign workers.

The problem is even more serious in the communities of Bellinzona, Lugano and Locarno, where unemployment is particularly high. According to data from the Statistical Office of the Canton of Ticino, in 2022 unemployment was 5.1% in Bellinzona, 4.5% in Lugano and 4.2% in Locarno.

The main cause of this problem is the lack of specific skills required by the market. According to data from the Statistical Office of the Canton of Ticino, in 2022 only 21.1% of Ticino workers had a university degree, while 78.9% had only a middle school diploma or lower.

The situation is further aggravated by the lack of

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Source: comozero.it