In March 2011 the number of employed persons aged 15 to 74 amounted to 4.56 million, an increase of +115,000 compared with March 2010. The employment rate rose by +1.2 percentage points to 64.7%. Seasonally adjusted data shows a continued positive trend in employment for both sexes, according to the latest statistics published today by Statistics Sweden (SCB).

On average, the number of hours worked in March amounted to 153.4 million per week, not seasonally adjusted. This is an increase of +3.5% compared with March 2010 when adjusted for calendar differences.

The number of unemployed persons aged 15 to 74 decreased by -36,000 and amounted to 404,000 in March 2011. The unemployment rate was 8.1%, a decrease of -0.9 percentage points.

According to seasonally adjusted data the number of unemployed persons amounted to 386,000 in March 2011 resulting in an unemployment rate of 7.7%.

The trend remains downward for men while the downward trend seems to have stopped for women.

To read the full statistics in Swedish language please click here