Labour market in Switzerland: SECO data for July 2026

Context

In a nutshell

• Unemployment rate at 3.0% in July 2026
• Increase of 10,122 units compared to the previous year (+7.8%)
• Total unemployed at 148'002 units
• Vacancies at the URC equal to 45,156

Key facts

• What: Dry survey on unemployment
• When: August 6, 2026
• Where: Switzerland
• Who: Dry
• Amount: 3.0% unemployment rate

On 6 August 2026, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) published updated data on the situation of the Swiss labour market. In July 2026, the unemployment rate stood at 3.0%, registering an increase of 0.1 percentage points compared to the previous month. The total number of registered unemployed reached 148'002, marking an increase of 10'122 people compared to the same month of the previous year, equal to an increase of 7.8%. Analyzing the seasonally adjusted data, the number of unemployed grew by 959 units (+0.7%), keeping the seasonally adjusted rate unchanged at 3.1%. These numbers reflect the current dynamics of the national market, in which the demand and supply of labor are compared with the seasonal fluctuations typical of the summer period. The monitoring activity conducted by SECO through the Regional Employment Offices (URC) provides a detailed photograph of these variations, allowing us to observe how the phenomenon affects different segments of the active population.

Analysis of the segments of

Operational details

Employment dynamics and vacancies

In addition to the official unemployment numbers, SECO monitored the overall number of job seekers. In July 2026, the total of these subjects reached 227,200, registering an increase of 1,409 units (+0.6%) compared to the previous month and an increase of 17,759 units (+8.5%) compared to the same period of the previous year. The rate of job seekers remained stable at 4.8%. Net of seasonal variations, the number of job seekers rose to 238,134 (+1.0%), with a seasonally adjusted rate of 5.0%. These data indicate a market in which the pressure on job search remains constant, despite the variation in seasonal flows. The availability of job positions is a crucial indicator to understand the balance of the system. In July 2026, the vacancies announced at the URCs were 45,156, a decrease of 2,088 units (-4.4%) compared to the previous month. However, comparing the figure with the previous year, there was an increase of 5'351 seats (+13.4%), confirming a still dynamic underlying dynamic despite the monthly contraction.

# Listing details

It is interesting to note the nature of the vacancies: of these 45,156 listings, 29,738 are subject to the announcement obligation, corresponding to 65.9% of the total. This figure is fundamental for the placement dynamics managed by the URCs, which operate

Recommended tools

For an updated estimate, use the net salary calculator and the CHF-EUR exchange comparator.

Key points

Management of reduced work cases and exhaustion of right

The SECO also provides specific data on support measures and related administrative procedures for unemployment. Concerning the exhaustion of the right to compensation, the updated data as of the end of July 2026 confirms that in May 2026, 2,629 cases of exhaustion of the right were counted, marking an increase of 46 units (+1.8%) compared to April 2026. These data, subject to a publication delay due to the payment practices of the unemployment funds, represent an essential parameter for evaluating the average duration of stay on the unemployment lists. Parallel to this, the phenomenon of reduced work has been monitored with the data referred to the month of April 2026. In that period, the people affected by reduced work measures were 9,782, with a contraction of 328 units (-3.2%) compared to the month of March 2026. The number of sectors involved in such measures decreased to 673, registering a decrease of 41 units (-5.7%). It is essential to remember that the figures on reduced work follow a three-month registration period and may undergo subsequent variations, as experience shows that the final count usually settles at around 75% of the initially recorded data.

Procedures for job seekers

For those in a professional transition phase, consulting official data is a useful first step to understand the market trend. Further information and in-depth statistical insights can be accessed by visiting the SECO portal or by contacting the relevant URC on the territory. For financial planning related to one's working situation, the salary calculator can be used to simulate one's net earnings based on the social contributions foreseen. The precise knowledge of data and administrative procedures, such as correct registration with the competent offices and respect for registration times for compensation, constitutes the basis for facing the period of searching for a new job with greater awareness. The stability of the unemployment rate, despite seasonal fluctuations, requires constant monitoring of the professional opportunities available in the various economic sectors of the country.

Source: seco.admin.ch