Swiss state employers flooded with job applications as economy cools

Switzerland’s recent economic slowdown is reshaping the labour market, and nowhere is the shift more visible than in applications to state-owned companies and the federal administration. Employers such as Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), Swisscom, the Swiss Post and federal offices are reporting a sharp rise in job applications, even as they advertise fewer vacancies than in previous years.

After years dominated by talk of labour shortages across healthcare, hospitality, construction and industry, the mood has changed. Hiring has cooled, job creation has slowed, and unemployment is rising. By the end of November 2025, Switzerland counted nearly 139,000 unemployed people — the highest level since the pandemic year of 2021.

Public sector seen as a “safe harbour”

With fewer open positions in the private sector, job seekers are increasingly turning to employers whose staffing levels are less sensitive to economic cycles. At SBB alone, around 125,000 applications were submitted by mid-December — roughly 20,000 more than in a typical year — despite a reduction in advertised roles.

According to SBB’s head of human resources, the explanation is straightforward: in times of uncertainty, state-owned employers are perceived as stable and reliable. When the economy is booming, private firms often attract talent with higher wages or more flexible working conditions. But during downturns, job security becomes a priority.

Similar trends are being observed at Swisscom and the Swiss Post. The postal service reports that the average number of applications per vacancy rose from 16 in 2022 to 29 in 2025.

Office jobs attract the biggest crowds

Interestingly, the surge is not evenly spread across all roles. While applications for logistics and transport jobs have remained broadly stable, competition has intensified sharply for positions in marketing, communications, finance, human resources and IT.

The Federal Personnel Office, which employs more than 40,000 people, also reports a notable rise in applications — particularly for IT, administrative and legal roles. Officials attribute the trend primarily to broader economic uncertainty rather than to any sudden shift in attitudes toward public service.

Structural factors complicate the picture

Labour market researchers caution against drawing overly simple conclusions. When fewer jobs are available and more people are searching, it is statistically inevitable that each vacancy attracts more applicants — regardless of employer type.

Economists note that there is limited empirical evidence showing a long-term shift in worker preferences toward job security. Still, they acknowledge it is plausible that in weaker labour markets, stability weighs more heavily in career decisions than it does during boom periods.

At the same time, critics argue that the public and state-adjacent sectors have expanded faster than the private economy over the past decade. Business groups warn that higher public-sector wages and job security may be drawing skilled workers away from small and medium-sized enterprises.

Purpose, but not for everyone

State employers push back against the criticism, highlighting investments in modern recruitment tools and employer branding. Some have lowered entry barriers by simplifying application processes or allowing mobile-first submissions.

Others point to a sense of purpose as a key attraction. Working for national infrastructure providers or public services offers a clear societal mission — something that resonates with many applicants.

Yet the flood of applications does not mean all candidates are suitable. For operational roles such as train drivers, only a small fraction of applicants typically meet the strict requirements related to safety, language skills, location and willingness to work shifts and nights.

As Switzerland navigates a softer economic phase, competition for stable employment is intensifying — and state employers are increasingly at the centre of that shift.