Job Index Q2 2026
Swiss Job Market Index Q2 2026: Swiss job market remains subdued, with different occupational groups showing contrasting trends
The Swiss job market remains subdued in the second quarter of 2026: The number of job postings decreases by -2.4% compared to the previous quarter, while remaining largely stable year-on-year (-0.2%). At the same time, the Job Index shows: The development of job postings is increasingly diverging across occupational groups over the year.
The economic outlook for the Swiss economy remains subdued in the second quarter of 2026. Higher energy prices, weak demand from abroad and increased economic uncertainty are weighing on the economy. Whilst service-oriented sectors, particularly financial and business-related services, continue to provide support, the export sector and the manufacturing industry are under pressure. Against this backdrop, the labour market also remains weak. The unemployment rate stood at 3 per cent in May 2026, significantly higher than in the same month of the previous year (+0.3 percentage points).
Focus on occupational groups: healthcare and IT roles on the rise, commercial roles in decline
The Swiss job market presents a mixed picture year-on-year (Q3 2025–Q2 2026 vs. Q3 2024–Q2 2025), depending on the occupational group.
Significant differences between occupational groups
While Graduate health professions (+17%), Industry and production specialists (+12%), Office specialists (+9%) and Graduate IT professions (+6%) continue to grow, Graduate science professions (-18%) as well as commercial and economic profiles (-13% and -10% respectively) are experiencing significant declines.
Slight decline across all language regions
Compared to the previous year, the number of job vacancies fell by 1% both across Switzerland as a whole and in German-speaking Switzerland, and by 2% in Latin-language regions. Export-oriented regions are particularly affected.
Demand for skilled workers remains selectively high
Despite an overall weak market, demand for qualified professionals remains in key areas, particularly in healthcare and technical professions.
AI is changing demand within occupations
The development of job postings shows that the impact of AI varies significantly depending on the task profile and does not lead to a general reduction of job opportunities in the Swiss labour market.
Marcel Keller, Country President of the Adecco Group Switzerland, comments on the situation in the Swiss job market: “The Job Index highlights the ongoing downturn in the Swiss job market. Companies are recruiting more selectively and are clearly responding to the subdued economic climate and global uncertainty. At the same time, an analysis of occupational groups shows that demand for qualified specialists in key sectors such as healthcare, the skilled trades and industry remains high. However, a noticeable general recovery in the job market is still a long way off.”
More details can be found in the study report available in French or German below.
While Graduate health professions (+17%), Industry and production specialists (+12%), Office specialists (+9%) and Graduate IT professions (+6%) continue to grow, Graduate science professions (-18%) as well as commercial and economic profiles (-13% and -10% respectively) are experiencing significant declines.
Slight decline across all language regions
Compared to the previous year, the number of job vacancies fell by 1% both across Switzerland as a whole and in German-speaking Switzerland, and by 2% in Latin-language regions. Export-oriented regions are particularly affected.
Demand for skilled workers remains selectively high
Despite an overall weak market, demand for qualified professionals remains in key areas, particularly in healthcare and technical professions.
AI is changing demand within occupations
The development of job postings shows that the impact of AI varies significantly depending on the task profile and does not lead to a general reduction of job opportunities in the Swiss labour market.
Marcel Keller, Country President of the Adecco Group Switzerland, comments on the situation in the Swiss job market: “The Job Index highlights the ongoing downturn in the Swiss job market. Companies are recruiting more selectively and are clearly responding to the subdued economic climate and global uncertainty. At the same time, an analysis of occupational groups shows that demand for qualified specialists in key sectors such as healthcare, the skilled trades and industry remains high. However, a noticeable general recovery in the job market is still a long way off.”
More details can be found in the study report available in French or German below.