Switzerland's unemployment rate rose slightly in November

According to surveys by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), 153,270 unemployed people were registered at the regional employment centers (RAV) at the end of November 2020, 4,152 more than in the previous month. The unemployment rate rose from 3.2% in October 2020 to 3.3% in the reporting month. Compared to the same month last year, unemployment increased by 46,940 people (+ 44.1%). Youth unemployment (15 to 24 year olds) fell by 72 people (-0.4%) to 17,490. Compared to the same month last year, this corresponds to an increase of 5,530 people (+46.2%).

The number of unemployed aged 50-64 increased by 1,398 persons (+3.4%) to 42,289. Compared to the same month of the previous year, this corresponds to an increase of 12,470 persons (+41.8%).

A total of 251’139 job seekers were registered, 9’679 more than in the previous month. Compared to the same period of the previous year, this number thus increased by 68,712 people (+37.7%).

In September 2020, 204’191 people were affected by short-time work, 100’209 people less (-32.9%) than in the previous month. The number of affected farms decreased by 14,595 units (-42.0%) to 20,190. Lost working hours decreased by 4,295,888 (-26.6%) to 11,872,123 hours. In the corresponding period of the previous year (September 2019) 105,753 hours of downtime had been registered, which had spread to 2,090 people in 111 establishments.