Labour Market in Q2 2025: Fewer Vacancies, Shifting Priorities

In the second quarter of 2025, the Swiss labour market showed a mixed performance. According to the Adecco Group, the number of job vacancies declined by 1% compared to the previous quarter and by 3% year-on-year. Despite this decline, the structure of demand shifted: IT and office-related jobs lost momentum, while healthcare and care services recorded strong growth.

Overall Trends

April–June 2025 reflected both economic caution and demographic challenges:

• Total vacancies fell slightly for the third consecutive quarter.
• Biggest declines were recorded in IT and office jobs.
• Growth sector: healthcare and care services emerged as the key driver of labour demand.

IT and Office Jobs: Signs of Cooling

Between 2020 and 2023, demand for IT specialists surged due to digitalisation, remote work, and online services. By mid-2025, the situation looks different:

• IT vacancies dropped, driven by completed digitalisation projects, cost-cutting measures, and increased automation.
• Office roles (administration, assistants, clerical jobs) are also declining, as AI takes over many routine tasks.

As a result, competition among candidates in these segments has intensified.

Healthcare and Care: A Growing Pillar

The strongest growth is observed in healthcare and care services. Adecco Group notes that this sector is becoming a cornerstone of the job market:

• Medical staff: doctors, nurses, and auxiliary staff are in high demand across the country.
• Elderly care: Switzerland’s ageing population is fuelling demand in nursing homes and home care.
• Social work: specialists supporting families, people with disabilities, and migrants are increasingly needed.

Both the government and private employers are investing in training and requalification programmes to attract new workers.

Reasons Behind the Shift

1. Demographics: The ageing population drives long-term demand for healthcare and care.
2. Technology: Automation and AI reduce the need for traditional office roles.
3. Economic caution: Companies are more selective in hiring, particularly in IT.

Outlook for Workers

• IT specialists: Strongest opportunities remain in AI, cybersecurity, and cloud computing.
• Office workers: Requalification in project management or customer service can open new paths.
• Job security: Healthcare and care professions are among the most stable for the coming years.

Q2 2025 highlights a structural transformation in the Swiss labour market: vacancies down 1% quarter-on-quarter and 3% year-on-year. While office and IT jobs are losing ground, healthcare and care are emerging as the foundation of economic and social stability.