Photo: User:Pieter Kuiper · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 03 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Sweden: Work & Labour
Can people find work, and on what terms?
Sweden is placed 51st of 182 countries on work & labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Employment-to-Population Ratio 58.98 (2025); Labour Income Share 53.69 (2025).
Share
Work & Labour
51st
of 182 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Sweden on work & labour — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Employment-to-Population Ratio
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
58.98
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Higher is better
Sweden: 58.98. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 21.21 (São Tomé and Príncipe) to 86.9 (Qatar); the world median is 57.72.
- World median
- 57.72
- Best in Northern Europe
- 72.21 Iceland
- Land neighbours
- Finland 54.03 · Norway 62.56
Key 3 of 4
Unemployment Rate
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
8.694
Unemployment (% of labour force)
Lower is better
Sweden: 8.694. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.13 (Qatar) to 34.2 (Eswatini); the world median is 5.084.
- World median
- 5.084
- Best in Northern Europe
- 3.625 Iceland
- Land neighbours
- Finland 9.461 · Norway 4.637
Key 4 of 4
Vulnerable Employment
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
6.874
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Lower is better
Sweden: 6.874. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.456 (Qatar) to 90.22 (Chad); the world median is 28.67.
- World median
- 28.67
- Best in Northern Europe
- 4.166 Norway
- Land neighbours
- Finland 9.462 · Norway 4.166
02Over time
Which way Sweden is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Employment-to-Population Ratio
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%) · higher is better
SwedenWorld median
Sweden rose from 58.6 in 2000 to 58.98 in 2025; the world median went from 55.86 to 57.72.
Every year’s figures
Year Sweden World median 2025 58.98 57.720 2024 59.30 57.694 2023 59.99 58.158 2022 59.77 57.688 2021 58.53 56.066 2020 58.83 55.691 2019 60.17 57.871 2018 60.40 56.911 2017 60.07 56.738 2016 59.60 56.845 2015 59.17 56.788 2014 58.82 56.774 2013 58.71 56.229 2012 58.46 56.289 2011 58.57 56.297 2010 57.76 56.212 2009 58.07 56.255 2008 59.88 57.308 2007 59.78 56.933 2006 58.86 56.685 2005 58.30 56.129 2004 58.23 55.465 2003 59.16 55.630 2002 59.54 55.843 2001 59.72 56.018 2000 58.61 55.861 Labour Income Share
Labour income share of GDP (%) · higher is better
SwedenWorld median
Sweden fell from 56.46 in 2004 to 53.69 in 2025; the world median went from 46.01 to 46.23.
Every year’s figures
Year Sweden World median 2025 53.69 46.230 2024 54.33 46.060 2023 54.07 45.900 2022 53.67 45.615 2021 54.57 45.433 2020 56.28 47.267 2019 54.75 46.277 2018 56.09 46.187 2017 55.74 46.467 2016 56.10 46.798 2015 56.58 46.876 2014 58.06 47.281 2013 59.09 46.887 2012 58.57 46.231 2011 54.70 45.679 2010 55.09 46.024 2009 56.01 47.071 2008 57.32 45.312 2007 56.40 45.246 2006 55.99 45.670 2005 56.60 46.265 2004 56.46 46.012 Unemployment Rate
Unemployment (% of labour force) · lower is better
SwedenWorld median
Sweden rose from 5.466 in 2000 to 8.694 in 2025; the world median went from 6.918 to 5.084.
Every year’s figures
Year Sweden World median 2025 8.69 5.08 2024 8.40 5.15 2023 7.61 5.21 2022 7.42 5.34 2021 8.80 6.04 2020 8.29 6.38 2019 6.83 5.36 2018 6.37 5.35 2017 6.72 5.59 2016 6.99 5.90 2015 7.43 6.41 2014 7.95 6.58 2013 8.05 6.71 2012 7.98 6.79 2011 7.80 6.90 2010 8.61 7.04 2009 8.35 6.67 2008 6.24 5.79 2007 6.16 6.00 2006 7.07 6.50 2005 7.81 7.09 2004 6.69 6.80 2003 5.56 6.95 2002 4.97 6.91 2001 4.73 6.96 2000 5.47 6.92 Vulnerable Employment
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment) · lower is better
SwedenWorld median
Sweden fell from 8.835 in 2000 to 6.874 in 2025; the world median went from 35.67 to 28.67.
Every year’s figures
Year Sweden World median 2025 6.8745 28.67 2024 6.9490 29.04 2023 7.0371 29.33 2022 7.0844 29.67 2021 7.2755 30.01 2020 7.4530 30.54 2019 7.2920 29.98 2018 7.2234 30.15 2017 7.3670 29.93 2016 7.4805 29.91 2015 7.6851 30.26 2014 7.7728 30.47 2013 7.9541 31.14 2012 7.8552 31.00 2011 7.8190 31.41 2010 8.2208 32.37 2009 8.0636 32.59 2008 7.8313 31.76 2007 7.9977 33.47 2006 8.1418 34.27 2005 8.1394 34.66 2004 8.1764 35.51 2003 8.1419 35.90 2002 8.4236 35.96 2001 8.4696 35.27 2000 8.8349 35.67
03In context
Sweden beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 182 countries on work & labour, never a place within the region.
Sweden and the countries it borders
Standing among all 182; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Employment-to-Population RatioEmployed share of the population aged 15+ (%) | Labour Income ShareLabour income share of GDP (%) | Unemployment RateUnemployment (% of labour force) | Vulnerable EmploymentVulnerable employment (% of total employment) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Norway | =31st | 62.56 | 45.93 | 4.637 | 4.166 |
| Sweden | 51st | 58.98 | 53.69 | 8.694 | 6.874 |
 Finland | 82nd | 54.03 | 54.08 | 9.461 | 9.462 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Northern Europe
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 182.
Placed either side on work & labour
The countries immediately above and below Sweden in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Sweden is ahead of the world, and behind
31 more statistics filed under work & labour, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median19
Statistics on which Sweden does better than the middle country measured.
Trade Union DensityILO · 2020 · world median 16.6865.2116.68No earlier reading
Sweden: 65.21 · world median 16.68 · Employees who are trade union members (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.2 to 91.42; higher is better.
Position 4th of 139 · derived.
Youth Not in Education, Employment or TrainingILO · 2024 · world median 14.315.57614.31▲ Improved since 2014
Sweden: 5.576 · world median 14.31 · Youth not in education, employment or training (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 3.975 to 65.73; lower is better.
Position 94th of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Compliance with Labour RightsILO · 2024 · world median 1.6101.61▲ Improved since 2015
Sweden: 0 · world median 1.61 · Compliance with freedom of association and collective bargaining rights (0 = best, 10 = worst). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 10; lower is better.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per WorkerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6,74261,2856,742No real change since 2015
Sweden: 61,285 · world median 6,742 · Agricultural value added per worker (constant 2015 US$). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 210.77 to 150,632; higher is better.
Position 8th of 151 · derived.
Labour Productivity per Hour WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 22.1683.8622.16No real change since 2015
Sweden: 83.86 · world median 22.16 · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.92 to 164.65; higher is better.
Position 11th of 182 · derived.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,230368,85325,230No real change since 2010
Sweden: 368,853 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 11th of 151 · derived.
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 059.60No earlier reading
Sweden: 59.6 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
GDP per Person EmployedWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 47,384128,98047,384No real change since 2015
Sweden: 128,980 · world median 47,384 · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2,456 to 262,554; higher is better.
Position 18th of 168 · derived.
Informal Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 36.763.22736.76No earlier reading
Sweden: 3.227 · world median 36.76 · Informal employment (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.857 to 94.44; lower is better.
Position 87th of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Female Share of Senior and Middle ManagementILO · 2024 · world median 35.8644.7435.86▲ Improved since 2014
Sweden: 44.74 · world median 35.86 · Women in senior and middle management (% of managers). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 7.226 to 56.69; higher is better.
Position 13th of 86 · derived.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.988.645.9No earlier reading
Sweden: 88.6 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Average Monthly Earnings of EmployeesILO · 2024 · world median 1,6365,3171,636▼ Worsened since 2014
Sweden: 5,317 · world median 1,636 · Average monthly earnings of employees (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 193.28 to 9,307; higher is better.
Position 12th of 75 · derived.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8117.7441.81No earlier reading
Sweden: 17.74 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 153rd of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Fatal Occupational InjuriesILO · 2023 · world median 2.0051.0242.005▼ Worsened since 2013
Sweden: 1.024 · world median 2.005 · Fatal occupational injuries per 100,000 workers. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.12 to 8.409; lower is better.
Firms Offering Formal TrainingWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 32.0749.1732.07No earlier reading
Sweden: 49.17 · world median 32.07 · Firms offering formal training to permanent full-time workers (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.42 to 79.12; higher is better.
Gini Index of Monthly EarningsILO · 2024 · world median 0.3370.2620.337▲ Improved since 2014
Sweden: 0.262 · world median 0.337 · Gini index of employees’ monthly earnings (0 = all paid the same, 1 = maximum inequality). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.182 to 0.643; lower is better.
Position 62nd of 75 · derived, 1st = worst.
Length of Paid Paternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3143▼ Worsened since 2015
Sweden: 14 · world median 3 · Paid paternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 196; higher is better.
Female Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 53.3661.5453.36No real change since 2015
Sweden: 61.54 · world median 53.36 · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 4.663 to 82.91; higher is better.
Position 42nd of 182 · derived.
Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 61.6664.5961.66▲ Improved since 2015
Sweden: 64.59 · world median 61.66 · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.34 to 87.01; higher is better.
Position 66th of 182 · derived.
Behind the world median5
Statistics on which Sweden does worse than the middle country measured.
Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed PersonsILO · 2024 · world median 0.5750.50.575No earlier reading
Sweden: 0.5 · world median 0.575 · Labour inspectors per 10,000 employed persons. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.07 to 3.89; higher is better.
Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4)ILO · 2024 · world median 12.5617.4812.56▼ Worsened since 2014
Sweden: 17.48 · world median 12.56 · Composite rate of labour underutilisation, LU4 (% of the extended labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 1.495 to 49.82; lower is better.
Position 23rd of 76 · derived, 1st = worst.
Firms with a Female Top ManagerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 19.1612.8919.16No earlier reading
Sweden: 12.89 · world median 19.16 · Firms with a female top manager (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.429 to 62.9; higher is better.
Position 130th of 179 · derived.
Youth Unemployment RateILO · 2025 · world median 12.8324.3112.83▼ Worsened since 2015
Sweden: 24.31 · world median 12.83 · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.457 to 76.77; lower is better.
Position 34th of 182 · derived, 1st = worst.
Length of Paid Maternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 98098No real change since 2015
Sweden: 0 · world median 98 · Paid maternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 410; higher is better.
No better end7
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Employment in ServicesILO · 2025 · world median 59.5181.4159.51No real change since 2015
Sweden: 81.41 · world median 59.51 · Employment in services (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.56 to 92.17.
Position 16th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Public Sector EmploymentWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 15.0130.7215.01No earlier reading
Sweden: 30.72 · world median 15.01 · Public sector employment (% of total employment). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 1.672 to 47.1.
Position 14th of 135 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Share of Temporary EmployeesILO · 2024 · world median 13.4513.6613.45Moved since 2014
Sweden: 13.66 · world median 13.45 · Employees on temporary contracts (% of employees). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.337 to 72.78.
Employment in IndustryILO · 2025 · world median 18.8816.8218.88Moved since 2015
Sweden: 16.82 · world median 18.88 · Employment in industry (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.103 to 39.44.
Position 118th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in AgricultureILO · 2025 · world median 14.381.76714.38Moved since 2015
Sweden: 1.767 · world median 14.38 · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.095 to 85.34.
Position 159th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Self-Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 31.8410.2431.84No real change since 2015
Sweden: 10.24 · world median 31.84 · Self-employed (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.832 to 91.56.
Position 163rd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8929.238.89No real change since 2015
Sweden: 29.2 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 174th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Sweden
Low Pay Rate, Statutory Minimum Wage and Working Poverty Rate. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Work & Labour among Sweden’s 16 topics
Work & Labour is Sweden’s 14th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Governance & Institutions3rd of 1944/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties5th of 1984/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital5th of 1963/3 keys
- Energy6th of 1653/3 keys
- Digital & Technologyjoint 11th of 1984/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge14th of 1983/4 keys
- Gender & Equalityjoint 15th of 1834/4 keys
- Risk & Resiliencejoint 16th of 1934/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation17th of 1764/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeing22nd of 2003/4 keys
- Peace & Securityjoint 21st of 1774/4 keys
- Mobility & Tradejoint 30th of 1774/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality37th of 1593/3 keys
- Work & Labour51st of 1824/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture53rd of 1844/4 keys
- Environment & Sustainability70th of 1864/4 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on work & labour
The three countries placed highest of 182, and the leaders Sweden can most readily be measured against.
1
IcelandNorthern Europe
1st of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
South KoreaEastern Asia
3rd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Europe
Iceland1st4/4 keysThis page
Sweden51st4/4 keys
Positions out of 182 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Sweden and work & labour
On work & labour
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Highest Average Salaries in 2024
The ten highest-paying countries of 2024, their bars coloured by continent, and six more added for comparison — from Australia in 13th place to India in 85th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Lowest Average Salaries in 2024
The bottom ten of 196 countries, and six more added for comparison. Niger, Madagascar and Liberia are all published at US$47 a month and still carry three different ranks.
08Questions
Sweden on work & labour: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Sweden rank on work & labour?
Sweden is placed 51st of 182 countries on Work & Labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Employment-to-Population Ratio, Labour Income Share, Unemployment Rate and Vulnerable Employment). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Employment-to-Population Ratio figure for Sweden?
58.98 in 2025 (employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 57.72.
What is the latest Labour Income Share figure for Sweden?
53.69 in 2025 (labour income share of GDP (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 46.23.
How does Sweden compare with Finland on work & labour?
Finland is placed 82nd of 182, and Sweden 51st. Employment-to-Population Ratio: Finland 54.03, Sweden 58.98; Labour Income Share: Finland 54.08, Sweden 53.69; Unemployment Rate: Finland 9.461, Sweden 8.694; Vulnerable Employment: Finland 9.462, Sweden 6.874.
How have Sweden’s work & labour figures changed?
Employment-to-Population Ratio rose from 58.6 in 2000 to 58.98 in 2025; Labour Income Share fell from 56.46 in 2004 to 53.69 in 2025; Unemployment Rate rose from 5.466 in 2000 to 8.694 in 2025; Vulnerable Employment fell from 8.835 in 2000 to 6.874 in 2025.
Which work & labour statistics are missing for Sweden?
No current reading is published for Sweden on Low Pay Rate, Statutory Minimum Wage and Working Poverty Rate. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Wages in money terms are not a key here, because pay figures are hard to compare fairly across countries with very different prices. Labour productivity, working hours, youth unemployment and the balance between farming, industry and services are published on this page as context. The size and growth of the wider economy belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Work & Labour standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The work & labour method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Employment-to-Population Ratio — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Labour Income Share — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Unemployment Rate — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Vulnerable Employment — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
The other 31 statistics on this page come from 2 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Sweden’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Sweden (banner) — User:Pieter Kuiper, Public domain
- Iceland — Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- South Korea — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Sweden: Work & Labour — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/sweden/work