Young people in the labour market

As a consequence of demographic ageing and an increase in the average length of education and training, the share of persons aged 15 to 24 years in the economically active population fell from 17.3% in 1991 to 11.7% in 2023.

In 2023, the activity rate of young persons aged 15 to 24 was 66.4% (men: 68.3%; women: 64.4%). A quarter of young people (27.0%) worked part time with a noticeable gap between men (19.2%) and women (35.6%).

In 2023, almost all (92.5%) economically active persons aged 15 to 24 were employees with 35.1% doing an apprenticeship. The rest worked in a family business (2.7%) or were self-employed (4.8%). 24.9% of young employees (excluding apprentices) have a fixed-term contract with their employer, of which 6.6% were on a paid internship. The share of employees with a fixed-term contract increased by 9.6 points compared to 2003 (15.3%).

The unemployment rate as defined by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) was 8.1% in 2023 among economically active persons aged 15 to 24.

Further information

Press Releases

Related topics

Statistical sources and concepts

Contact

Federal Statistical Office Section Labour Force
Espace de l'Europe 10
CH-2010 Neuchâtel
Switzerland
Tel.
+41 58 463 64 00

Monday to Friday
9.00–11.30 and 14.00–16.00

Contact

Remark

Our English pages offer only a limited range of information on our statistical production. For our full range please consult our pages in French and German (top right hand screen).

https://www.bfs.admin.ch/content/bfs/en/home/statistics/work-income/employment-working-hours/age-generations-retirement-health/young-people-labour-market.html