KOF Employment Indicator
The KOF Employment Indicator is calculated on the basis of the quarterly KOF Business Tendency Surveys.
As part of these surveys, the KOF asks private businesses in Switzerland how they consider their current staffing levels to be and whether they intend to change them over the coming three months.
A positive figure for the indicator means that the number of businesses that, according to the survey answers provided during the reference quarter, envisage cutting jobs is smaller than the number of businesses that intend to create jobs. Conversely, a negative figure for the Employment Indicator points to a negative employment dynamic. It has been shown in the past that these assessments are a precursor of actual developments on the labour market. The Indicator therefore enables an early assessment of the position on the labour market over the coming months.
The KOF Employment Indicator is based on the results of KOF surveys in nine sectors, which collectively account for 85 per cent of private sector employment.
Calculation
In order to calculate the Indicator, seasonally adjusted balances of survey results concerning current employment and planned employment are determined for each sector. The two balances are then averaged out. Using the average figures for the sectoral indicators thereby determined, a weighted indicator is then calculated for the economy as a whole. The indicator relates to the entire quarter. For further information, please refer to the Download “Methodology for the KOF Employment Indicator” (PDF, 134 KB).
News
KOF Employment Indicator: outlook remains subdued
The KOF Employment Indicator has fallen slightly in the first quarter of 2025 compared with last quarter. This decline is primarily due to the worsening employment prospects in the retail and manufacturing sectors. Overall, the Swiss labour market is expected to remain subdued this quarter and next.
Contact
KOF Konjunkturforschungsstelle
Leonhardstrasse 21
8092
Zürich
Switzerland