As of December 31, 2024, the number of job seekers increases by 286 compared to the previous minimum, to reach 5,949 people. An increase in the number of unemployed (+144) is also observed with the workforce now standing at 3,745 people. This increase, usual in the month of December, is partly linked to unfavorable seasonal factors which mainly affect the construction sector during this winter period.
If the Neuchâtel unemployment rate increases by 0.1 pt in December 2024 to reach 4.2%, the increase is more marked at the national level (+0.2 pt) as well as at the level of French-speaking Switzerland (+0.3 pt), with rates standing at 2.8% and 4.1% respectively.
In annual variation, the cantonal unemployment rate increases by 1.1 pt between the months of December 2023 and 2024. At the national level, over the same period, the unemployment rate increases by 0.5 pt. While in 2023 the unemployment rate in Neuchâtel had reached historically low levels, a gradual increase was noted during the year 2024. The unemployment rate amounts to an annual average of 3.6% (while it rose at 2.7% in 2023, 3.0% in 2022 and 4.4% in 2021).
The monthly variations in the number of unemployed in the canton reveal contrasting trends according to the different age categories. In fact, young people under 25 (-3) saw their numbers decrease slightly compared to the month of November. On the contrary, people aged 25 to 49 (+105) as well as those over 50 (+42) are seeing their numbers increase. Thus, the unemployment rate for young people (under 25) remains stable at 4.9% and the unemployment rate for seniors increases by 0.2 pt to reach 3.6%.
Regarding the economic sectors, a significant increase in the number of unemployed is noted for the seasonal construction sector (+93). An increase was also noted in the watchmaking sector (+21), other manufacturing activities (+11) and the wholesale trade and repairs of cars and motorcycles (+11).
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