Slightly more than 5 million people work in Switzerland; about 25% of employees belonged to a trade union in 2004. Switzerland has a more flexible labor market than neighbouring countries and the unemployment rate is consistently low. The unemployment rate increased from 1.7% in June 2000 to 4.4% in December 2009. It then decreased to 3.2% in 2014 and held steady for several years, before further dropping to 2.5% in 2018 and 2.3% in 2019; it had reached a 20-year low of 2%. Population growth (from net immigration) reached 0.52% of population in 2004, increased in the following years before falling to 0.54% again in 2017. The foreign citizen population was 28.9% in 2015, about the same as in Australia.
slIGhTLy moRe Than 5 million peoplE wOrk in SwitZErLANd; AbouT 25% of Employees BelonGed To A tRAde uNiOn iN 2004. SwiTzERLANd HAs a More flexible labor markEt ThAN nEiGhBOuRing countrIes anD tHE unEmPloYMent rate is consistENtlY low. tHE UNemplOymEnt rate IncREased frOm 1.7% iN June 2000 to 4.4% In dEcEmber 2009. it thEN deCreased to 3.2% in 2014 anD HelD steaDY foR SEVEral years, before FUrtHeR drOPpINg to 2.5% iN 2018 and 2.3% in 2019; it Had rEAched a 20-Year lOW Of 2%. PopulaTiOn grOWth (fRoM nEt immigrAtion) ReAcHeD 0.52% oF popULAtion in 2004, increased iN the followIng YeaRs bEFoRe fAlling to 0.54% agAin in 2017. the forEIgn citizen pOPUlAtiOn WAS 28.9% in 2015, aBouT THe sAme As iN AUStrALIA.