Unemployment rate · Sweden
Sweden Unemployment Rate
The Sweden Unemployment Rate measures the share of the labour force in Sweden, people working or actively looking for work, who have no job but want one.
- Importance
- Medium
- Released
- Monthly
- Next release
- Currency
- SEK · Swedish krona
- Central bank
- The Riksbank
Latest figures
The latest release for SEP, published on 16 October 2026, came in at 8.1%, down from 8.5% the time before.
Over the last 12 releases it ranged from 7.8% to 9.7%, averaging 8.6%.
| Released | For | Actual | Consensus | Previous |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Oct 2026 | SEP | 8.1% | – | 8.5% |
| 16 Sep 2026 | AUG | 8.5% | – | 7.8% |
| 21 Aug 2026 | JUL | 7.8% | – | 9.9% |
| 15 Jun 2026 | MAY | 9.4% | – | 8.7% |
| 21 May 2026 | APR | 8.7% | – | 9.7% |
| 22 Apr 2026 | MAR | 9.7% | – | 8.8% |
| 13 Mar 2026 | FEB | 8.8% | – | 8.6% |
| 16 Feb 2026 | JAN | 8.6% | – | 8.3% |
| 23 Jan 2026 | DEC | 8.3% | – | 8.2% |
| 12 Dec 2025 | NOV | 8.2% | – | 8.9% |
| 14 Nov 2025 | OCT | 8.9% | – | 8.3% |
| 17 Oct 2025 | SEP | 8.3% | – | 8.4% |
Why it matters
Full employment is part of most central banks' mandate. A falling unemployment rate means a tighter labour market, faster wage growth and more inflation pressure, which can keep the Riksbank hawkish; a rising rate is one of the clearest recession signals (the US "Sahm rule" flags a 0.5-point rise in the three-month average).
How it is calculated
Statistics Sweden (SCB) usually runs a household survey: people are counted as unemployed if they had no work, were available and looked for a job recently. The rate is unemployed ÷ (employed + unemployed). Registered jobless and claimant counts instead count people signed on for benefits. Participation is the labour force ÷ working-age population.
Unemployment rate = unemployed ÷ labour force × 100
Labour force = employed + unemployedWhat changes mean
- A lower rate than expected usually supports the Swedish krona.
- Check participation: unemployment can fall because people stop looking, which is not good news.
- Broader measures (US U-6) include part-timers who want more hours.
Higher than expected: A higher unemployment rate than expected points to a weakening labour market: the Swedish krona tends to soften as markets price in lower rates.
Lower than expected: A lower unemployment rate than expected signals a tight labour market: it tends to support the Swedish krona and push bond yields up.
A short history
Systematic unemployment statistics began in the 1930s Depression; the International Labour Organization's definition, adopted in 1982, is used by most countries today.
The Riksbank is the world's oldest central bank, founded in 1668.
Questions
What is the Sweden Unemployment Rate?
The Sweden Unemployment Rate measures the share of the labour force in Sweden, people working or actively looking for work, who have no job but want one.
What was the latest Sweden Unemployment Rate?
8.1% for SEP, published on 16 October 2026.
When is the next Sweden Unemployment Rate?
On Friday 20 November 2026 at 07:00 UTC.
Educational content only, not investment advice. Figures are the published results as recorded by our calendar; market reactions described are typical, not guaranteed.