Unemployment has fallen slowly but steadily during the autumn. And the year ended in the same way, according to the Swedish Public Employment Service's monthly figures.
At the end of December, just under 360,000 people, or 6.8 percent of the workforce, were registered as unemployed with the country's employment agencies. This compares with just over 376,000, or 7.1 percent, in December 2024.
Thousands fewer layoff notices
According to seasonally adjusted values, unemployment is now the lowest since spring 2024.
Notices of layoffs were also unusually few in December, just under 2,900 people, compared to 4,000-6,000 in the months before and 4,300 in December the year before.
"Our latest figures show a brightening of the situation. The fact that the number of notices has dropped hopefully indicates that employers are experiencing a better economic situation and a stronger belief in the future," says Eva Samakovlis, the Public Employment Service's analysis director, in a written comment.
Other indicators point in the same direction: more of those registered found jobs, and the number of newly reported vacancies is increasing.
Still at a higher level
But at the back of the queue, the situation remains difficult. The number of long-term unemployed continues to increase. Those who have been out of work for at least a year number almost 151,600, which is 2,000 more than at the same time the year before.
The forecast is that the long-term unemployed will be at a higher level in the next two years than before the recession.
"The challenges are particularly great for unemployed people who have been out of work for 24 months or longer," says Samakovlis.
More support is needed here in the form of educational initiatives, according to her.
