Underemployed persons and additional potential workforce

Labour force potential

In 2020, the untapped labour force potential in Switzerland comprised 867 000 persons, made up of 372 000 who were underemployed, 238 000 who were ILO unemployed and 257 000 persons who were part of the potential additional labour force (i.e. actively looking for work, but not immediately available, or vice-versa). The percentage of women was 62.0%.

Shortage of work

In 2020, 12.4% of economically active persons in Switzerland were affected by shortage of work. The work shortage rate consists of the underemployment rate (7.5%) and the unemployment rate based on the ILO definition (4.8%). The additional volume of work wished for by these persons corresponded to a total of 316 000 full-time equivalents (underemployed persons: 121 000 full-time equivalents; ILO unemployed persons: 195 000 full-time equivalents). At 16.7%, the work shortage rate of women is twice as high as that of men (8.6%).

Further information

Press releases

All press releases on this topic "Unemployment, underemployment and vacancies"
 

Publications

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Related topics

• Gender equality - Underemployment
  

Statistical sources and concepts

Surveys

Definitions