Brighter job signs with fewer layoffs

Several signs point to a brighter labor market in Sweden. The job placement organization TSL reports a clear decrease in laid-off workers seeking help, and it is becoming easier to find new jobs.

During the fourth quarter, the number of laid-off workers applying for help from TSL decreased by 21 percent, to 5,000 people compared to 6,300 in the same period last year. The decline is particularly noticeable among employees in the construction sector, retail, and staffing agencies, which often signals an improving economy.

Bankruptcies have also decreased slightly. “After several years, we now see clearer signs of stabilization,” says TSL CEO Caroline Söder in a comment.

TSL assists laid-off workers in blue-collar jobs with finding new employment. For those with a relatively recent connection to the labor market, it is relatively easy to return, and the process is faster now than a year ago according to the organization's statistics. More than nine out of ten find new employment within a year of being laid off.

Related Articles

Swedish Health Minister Elisabeth Lann chairs urgent crisis meeting on high sick leave in female-dominated healthcare sectors, with charts and stressed workers in background.
Image generated by AI

Health minister Lann calls crisis meeting on high sick leave

Reported by AI Image generated by AI

Health minister Elisabeth Lann (KD) describes the high sick leave in the healthcare sector as a failure and is now calling a crisis meeting with unions and employers. Sick leave is highest in female-dominated professions such as care, elderly care, and school, with three out of four stress-related illnesses affecting women, according to the Swedish Social Insurance Agency's report.

Borlänge municipality is laying off 17 employees in care services, while hiring new staff monthly. The care sector faces heavy pressure, high sick leave, and reduced continuity for the elderly.

Reported by AI

Sweden faces an acute shortage of care workers in elderly care, needing 65,600 more care assistants and assistant nurses by 2033. Care assistant Sandra Vilppala criticizes the Tidöre government for deporting established foreign labor while raising wage requirements, worsening the crisis. She demands either letting people stay in the country or raising wages to attract staff.

The number of unemployed in Germany rose to 2.908 million in December, with the rate reaching 6.2 percent. The Federal Employment Agency anticipates recovery only from mid-2026, amid economic slowdown and demographic changes. Head Andrea Nahles warns of challenges despite potential economic upturn.

Reported by AI

DANE reported a 10.9% unemployment rate for January 2026, the lowest in recent history for a first month of the year, despite a 23% minimum wage increase. Informality dropped to 55%, and the employed population grew by 324,000 people. Yet, these official figures are sparking political polarization.

South Korea added 193,000 jobs in 2025, maintaining year-on-year employment growth at the 100,000 level for the second straight year despite ongoing losses in manufacturing and construction. Data from the Ministry of Data and Statistics showed the number of employed people rose 0.7 percent to 28.77 million from a year earlier. While youth employment remained sluggish, jobs for those aged 60 and older saw the largest increase.

Reported by AI

A Bank of Korea report shows the share of young South Koreans aged 20-34 neither working nor job-seeking rose to 22.3% in 2025 from 14.6% in 2019. The trend, linked to AI-driven labor market changes and slowing economic growth, signals structural strains and potential long-term labor shortages. Officials call for reforms to encourage youth re-entry into the workforce.

 

 

 

This website uses cookies

We use cookies for analytics to improve our site. Read our privacy policy for more information.
Decline