Sweden unemployment rate drops to 6.3 percent as economy strengthens

Sweden saw its unemployment rate fall to 6.3 percent of the workforce at the end of October.

This figure represents a decrease from the 6.8 percent unemployment rate recorded during the same period last year. Emil Persson, the acting head of forecasting at the Public Employment Service, says a stronger economy has led to more hiring and fewer new registrations of unemployed people. The improvement applies to both men and women, as well as to native-born Swedes and foreign-born residents.

However, Persson notes that people who have been out of work for more than two years face a harder time finding jobs because their experience is less current. Unemployment for this specific group actually increased while the overall rate fell. Regional differences remain across the country. Skåne recorded the highest unemployment rate at 8.2 percent, while Norrbotten county reported the lowest rate at 3.4 percent.

Persson suggests that jobseekers in areas with higher unemployment might increase their chances by applying for positions in regions where competition is less fierce.