Work in Switzerland: 300,000 new jobs in five years (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell - The Swiss labour market experienced five years of growth after the pandemic shock. - Approximately 300,000 new jobs were created between the fourth quarter of 2020 and 2025. ## Key facts - The number of employed has risen to 5.4 million, an increase of over 5% in five years. - Employment statistics based on surveys at companies even recorded a growth of 7.5%, for a total of 5.5 million employees. - The need for labor has been met by many employers hiring abroad. - In five years the number of foreign workers has increased by 15%, reaching 2 million. - The Swiss workforce grew by 0.4% to 3.6 million. - Real wages in Switzerland increased by 1.6% in 2025, the highest growth since 2009. - Price stability, with inflation just 0.2%, contributed to this growth. ### Concrete examples and real data - Canton of Ticino: In 2020, Ticino recorded a 6% increase in the number of employees, thanks in part to the attraction of technology companies and tourism. - Canton of Zurich: The Swiss capital was one of the cantons most benefited by the growth of the labour market, with a 7% increase in the number of employed between 2020 and 2025. - Canton of Bern: Bern has seen a 5% increase in the number of foreign workers, thanks to attraction and training policies that have favored

Operational details

The five-year analysis of the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) shows a slowdown in the Swiss labour market. In 2022, the number of vacancies was around 123'000. At the end of 2025, the number dropped to 86'000. This change is due to several factors, including global uncertainties and the transformation caused by artificial intelligence (AI). Swiss companies are more cautious in their hiring decisions. One of the main reasons is increasing automation, which is reducing the demand for skilled labour in sectors such as the office, IT and financial professions. For example, in the canton of Zürich, one of the country's main financial hubs, companies are investing heavily in AI technologies to automate complex processes, thereby reducing the need for human staff. Skilled labour is less in demand, but there are still opportunities in emerging sectors such as sustainability and technology. For example, the canton of Glarus saw a 15% increase in new job creation in the sustainability sector between 2020 and 2025. This is due to the growing demand for energy and environmental professionals. Swiss regulations play a crucial role in labour market management. The Temporary Work Act was recently reformed to facilitate the integration of temporary workers into rapidly expanding sectors.

Recommended tools

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Key points

The Swiss government has initiated a series of measures to support the labour market. The creation of new jobs is one of the main objectives. Companies are encouraged to consider hiring new employees and investing in vocational training. Workers can access training and refresher programs to improve their skills and increase their job opportunities. ## Government Measures The Swiss government has announced an economic stimulus plan that envisages the creation of 300,000 new jobs over the next five years. This objective is part of a broader professional retraining and business support plan. 📊 The measures include tax incentives for companies hiring new employees and investment in vocational training. For example, the canton of Zug has already implemented a training program that has seen the training of over 5000 workers in the technology sector. 💡 ## Training Programs Workers can access government-funded training and refresher programs. These programmes cover a wide range of sectors, including technological innovation, renewable energy and tourism. 📊 For example, the 'Training for the Future' programme offers vocational refresher courses at a reduced cost or free of charge for Swiss workers. This program has seen the training of 10,000 workers

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Source: rsi.ch