Who are the unemployed today?

To get rid of prejudices about the unemployed, we need to look at what it actually looks like. In 2024, approximately 480,000 people in Sweden were unemployed.

Young people are more often unemployed – for older unemployed people it takes longer

Age plays a big role. Young people clearly have a harder time getting a job than others. Among people between the ages of 15 and 24, about 24 percent were unemployed in 2024, which is significantly higher than in other age groups. The lowest unemployment rate is found among people in the more established working ages, about 25–54 years old. Among older people, especially 55–64 years old, unemployment is often lower than among young people. But once older people become unemployed, it usually takes longer to get a new job, and the risk of long-term unemployment is greater. In short: young people have the most difficulty entering the labor market, while older people have a harder time getting back in if they lose their job.

Why is this the case? Young people often lack work experience, connections and permanent employment, which makes it more difficult to get their first job. Older people often have experience, but may face age discrimination, demands for new skills or jobs that do not match their previous experience. Employers may also be hesitant to hire someone who is close to retirement.

Small differences between women and men

Men are slightly more often unemployed than women, but the difference is quite small. In May 2024, approximately 127,000 women and 143,000 men were unemployed (aged 20–65). This corresponded to approximately 5.1 percent of women and 5.5 percent of men in the labor force. The size of the differences varies over time and also depends on how they are measured. Source: Statistics Sweden

Why is the difference so small? Sweden has a labor market where both women and men work to a high degree. The differences in unemployment are also balanced out by the fact that women and men often work in different industries: some industries are hit harder in recessions, others less so. When you combine the entire labor market, the differences are therefore relatively small.

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The level of education is one of the most important factors

Education plays a major role in the chances on the job market. People without upper secondary education have much higher unemployment rates than others. In 2024, around 28 percent of those without upper secondary education were unemployed. Among people with post-secondary education, the corresponding figure was around 5 percent. Education is therefore one of the most important factors in reducing the risk of being unemployed. Source: Economic facts / Statistics Sweden

Why does education matter so much? More and more jobs today require formal education, certifications, or specialized skills. People without a high school education compete for fewer jobs, often in industries that are sensitive to recessions. Higher education provides both more job opportunities and a greater chance of adapting when the labor market changes.

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Immigrants are more often unemployed, but the group is mixed

Background also plays a role. People born outside Sweden are more often unemployed than people born in Sweden. In 2024, unemployment among those born abroad was around 16 percent, compared to around 5–6 percent among those born in Sweden. At the same time, it is important to remember that those born abroad are a very mixed group - unemployment varies greatly depending on which country you were born in and how long you have lived in Sweden.

Source: Statistics Sweden

Why is unemployment higher among foreign-born people? It is rarely a matter of willingness to work. Common obstacles include language, the fact that education or professional experience from other countries is not always recognized, and a lack of networks and contacts. For new arrivals, it also takes time to learn the language and understand how the labor market works in Sweden.