Switzerland’s non–farm payrolls rose by 0.5% year-on-year to 5.537 million in Q1 2026, accelerating from a 0.2% gain in the previous quarter. The increase was primarily driven by the services sector, rising 0.6% to 4.409 million, supported by higher employment in administrative and support service activities (2.5% vs 2.3%), public administration (1.7% vs 2.6%), and arts, entertainment and recreation (1.6% vs 1.1%). Declines were seen in publishing, audiovisual and broadcasting activities (-5% vs -9.3%), telecommunications (-2.3% vs -4.9%), and finance and assurance (-1.5% vs -1.9%). Meanwhile, employment in the industrial sector recovered by 0.1% to 1.129 million, after a 0.1% fall in Q4, driven by increases in mining and quarrying (3.3% vs 4.4%), electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning (2.9% vs 3.6%), construction (1.3% vs 1.1%), which offset declines in manufacturing (-0.7% vs -1%) and water supply, waste management (-0.8% vs 1.9%).

Octalas AI

Profit

Everyone's racing to cut costs. We're racing to create profit.

Start Selling through Service

Start Trial

Free for 14 days · No credit card required