COUNTRY SEARCH:
Sweden
  • Argentina
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Belgium
  • Brazil
  • Bulgaria
  • Canada
  • Chile
  • China
  • Colombia
  • Costa Rica
  • Croatia
  • Czechia
  • Denmark
  • Ecuador
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • India
  • Ireland
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Malaysia
  • Malta
  • Mexico
  • Morocco
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Qatar
  • Romania
  • Russia
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • South Africa
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Sri Lanka
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Thailand
  • Türkiye
  • Ukraine
  • United Arab Emirates
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
  • Uruguay
  • Vietnam
  • Recruitment landscape
  • Economic indicators
  • Labor market
  • Working life
Country shape se

Your global agency guide to...

Sweden

Sweden, with a GDP of $593 billion, ranks as the 24th largest economy globally. Its key industries include iron and steel, precision equipment, and motor vehicles. With a moderate unemployment rate of 7.6%, Sweden's labor market is stable, though potentially impacted by a growing dependency ratio. The country hosts a medium number of recruitment agencies.

Sweden'S

AGENCY LANDSCAPE

2K

Agencies operating in Sweden

A high number of agencies indicates a mature recruitment industry, marked by strong talent demand, established labor laws and economic stability.

16-22%

Typical fee range

Countries with higher fees imply finding talent is harder to find whilst lower fees indicate a high-volume, commoditized market.

Sweden'S

FEATURED AGENCIES

Adecco Group

Nordic Jobs Worldwide

Get featured here

Sweden'S

GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT (GDP) RATING

24

WORLD RANKED

Sweden ranks 24th in the world by current economic output

$593B

NOMINAL GDP (US$)

GDP reflects the overall size and economic strength of the country’s economy.

13

EMEA RANKED

Sweden is the 13th biggest GDP in EMEA out of 109 countries in the region

GDP GROWTH (%)

The above chart compares how Sweden's GDP has grown, compared to the rest of the world and the EMEA region in the last 7 years.
Positive growth indicates an expanding economy, while negative growth or recession signifies economic contraction. Strong growth can encourage hiring, but slower growth might lead to freezes or layoffs, influencing talent sourcing as businesses adapt to changing market conditions and demands.

Sweden'S

CURRENCY AND CODE

Skr

Country currency

SWE

Country ISO code

Sweden'S

INFLATION RATE

2.6%

CURRENT RATE

▼3.3% REDUCTION

Inflation represents the rate at which prices rise and purchasing power diminishes. High inflation may prompt employees to seek higher wages, potentially impacting company profitability. This situation could lead to budget constraints or hiring freezes, which might influence talent availability and sourcing strategies.


Sweden'S

COST OF LIVING

COST OF LIVING INDEX EXPLAINED

The cost of living has a direct impact on salary expectations and the competitiveness of compensation packages. It can influence the appeal of certain locations-while high-cost areas may attract highly skilled professionals looking for higher salaries, lower-cost areas can appeal to companies looking to minimize salary expenses or candidates seeking a better work-life balance.

Sweden'S

LABOUR STATISTICS

10M

POPULATION

With a population of 10,379,295, Sweden is a medium sized country by global standards. Sweden's youth population is just below the world average, indicating it may face challenges in labor market sustainability over time. The working population in Sweden is close to the world average, suggesting a stable labor market that can adequately meet the economy's demands. Sweden's elderly population is just above the world average, suggesting a growing dependency ratio, which may strain the labor market.

Sweden'S

RELIGION

Religion

In religiously diverse countries, a broad sourcing and engagement approach whilst appealing to inclusive practices resonates with this candidate market. In contrast, in a homogeneous religious environment, understanding dominant cultural norms is often more important when engaging with talent.

Sweden'S

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

7.6%

CURRENT PERCENTAGE

▲0.19% INCREASE

Sweden has an unhealthy unemployment rate, suggesting there may be some economic or structural challenges . Between 2022 and 2023, there was a small increase in unemployment, suggesting continued economic stability, with a slight dip in job availability

Sweden'S

TOP PERFORMING COMPANIES AND INDUSTRIES

Top performing companies

Securitas AB
Ericsson
H&M

Top industries

Iron and steel
Wood pulp and paper products
Motor vehicles

Sweden'S

GENDER DEMOGRAPHICS

RATIO OF MALES TO FEMALES (BY AGE)

LABOUR PARTICIPATION BY GENDER (%)

70 / 63

Male | Female

In Sweden there is a low gap in participation rates between males and females, indicating a relatively balanced workforce particpation often reflective of strong gender equality policies or cultural norms supportive of equal gender parity.

Sweden'S

WORKING LIFE

$48K

Average gross annual wage (US$)

This figure represents yearly income before taxes. Higher wage countries are above $50,000 USD. Attracting talent in lower-wage markets can be cost-effective; however, offering above-average compensation may be required for in-demand skills.

$4K

Average gross monthly wage (US$)

This figure represents monthly income before taxes. Higher-wage countries typically exceed $4,000 USD per month. Attracting talent in lower-wage markets can be cost-effective; however, offering above-average monthly compensation may be necessary for in-demand skills.

Sweden'S

WORKING LIFE

12DAYS

Minimum annual holidays

Minimum annual holidays reflect mandated leave. Hiring in countries with high allowances (over 25 days) will require emphasizing work-life balance when recruiting. In countries with fewer holidays (under 15 days), offering additional leave can enhance recruitment and set the organization apart.

40HRS

Average working full time week

Standard workweek is Monday to Friday, 8 hours daily, 40 hours weekly. Overtime pay isn't required and may be in salary. Agreement-specified hours beyond regular are overtime. Monthly and annual overtime caps are 50 and 150 hours, with a 168% hourly rate for extras.

Sweden'S

TOP BENEFITS

89DAYS

Maternity leave

In Sweden, parents share 480 days of parental leave. For maternity, 60 days pre-birth and 29 post-birth are mandatory. Paternity gets 10 extra days. Pay is nearly 80% of salary for 390 days, then SEK 180/day.

90DAYS

Sick leave

Employees get paid sick leave for 90 days, with the employer covering 80% of the base salary for the first 14 days. Days 15-90 are paid by Social Insurance at 25-80%, with a maximum of SEK 810/day. There's an unpaid qualifying period at the start.

COUNTRY SEARCH

Explore hiring in new countries