The number of job vacancies in Switzerland since the beginning of the year (January-November 2016) has increased by 37.2 %, according to the Michael Page Swiss Job Index, the highest figure for this period since the first publication of the index in 2012.

The report also shows that the number of published offers increased by 2.5% between October and November 2016. This is also the largest increase in the number of job vacancies since the index was established.

French-speaking Switzerland registered a 3.4% increase in job offers between October and November. The German-speaking region, which made up 9 out of 10 published advertisements, recorded an increase of 2.5%, in line with the national figures, over the same period.

"The demand for specialists has reached a level where the best candidates, offering the most sought-after skills, receive several proposals and are accelerated recruitment,” Charles Franier, Executive Director at Michael Page, said. “This is particularly the case for the candidates experts in engineering, pharmacy and finance."

The employment categories with the largest monthly increase (October - November 2016):

According to the report, central and eastern regions reported the highest monthly increases (4.3%) and the highest (62.3%) since the beginning of the year. These regions have significant activities in the health and life sciences, as well as in the manufacturing and logistics sectors.