Press release —
Lower youth unemployment – but major differences between young men and women
Youth unemployment in Sweden decreased slightly during the third quarter. However, significantly more young men than women are unemployed, and in almost one in four municipalities there are no vacancies in occupations that do not require formal education. This is shown in a new compilation from Sambla Group.
In Sweden, an average of 7.6 percent of young people aged 18 to 24 were unemployed during the third quarter of 2026, corresponding to nearly 42,000 individuals. This is slightly more than in the previous quarter, but lower than one year ago, when youth unemployment stood at 8.2 percent.
This is shown in a new compilation from Sambla Group, based on monthly statistics aggregated to quarterly level.
For many young people, unemployment coincides with a stage in life when they are expected to become financially established. Without a job, it becomes more difficult to build work experience, obtain references, create a financial buffer and take responsibility for their own everyday finances.
“For young people, a job is not just about earning a salary here and now. It is often the first step towards independence, structure in everyday life and greater financial security. When youth unemployment remains at these levels, more young people risk falling behind before they have even had the chance to establish themselves,” says Marcus Karlsson, personal finance expert at Sambla Group.
Major difference between young women and men
Sambla Group’s analysis shows that the gender gap remains large. Among young men, unemployment was 9.1 percent, compared with 6.2 percent among young women. The gap is larger than in the previous quarter, but marginally smaller than one year ago.
The gap between men and women narrowed slowly during the 2010s, up until the pandemic. But in recent years, youth unemployment among men has consistently been around three percentage points higher than among women.
“When the gap between young women and men is large, it says something about which groups are currently having the greatest difficulty gaining a foothold in the labour market. Employers, schools and the adult community need to become better at identifying and supporting young people earlier,” says Marcus Karlsson at Sambla Group.
The difference between men and women is visible across the country. In only a handful of municipalities is youth unemployment higher among women, and these are sparsely populated rural municipalities with small populations, primarily in the north. In Norrbotten, the difference between men and women is the smallest.
Part-time jobs are an important route into the labour market
For young people without work, financial margins can quickly become tight. This may mean being unable to move away from home, having to rely more on parents, or being forced to postpone saving, studies or other plans for the future.
"At the same time, even short-term jobs, part-time jobs and internships can make a big difference. Early work experience can provide income, references and a better chance of getting the next job,” says Marcus Karlsson.
One challenge is finding a job without experience or formal education. The Swedish Public Employment Service has defined just over 80 occupations that generally do not require any education. In 68 of Sweden’s 290 municipalities, there are currently no such jobs listed in Platsbanken.
Sambla Group has previously highlighted summer jobs and part-time jobs as important entry points into the labour market for young people, especially in a situation where competition for jobs is tough. In previous material, Sambla has also linked the first job to young people’s ability to learn how to manage wages, tax, savings and everyday finances.
Sambla Group’s tips for young jobseekers
1. Search broadly, not perfectly
Do not wait for exactly the right role. Your first job does not have to be your dream job; it can be a way to gain experience, references and a line on your CV.
2. Use more channels than job sites
Combine job ads with spontaneous applications, visits to employers and contacts through family, friends, teachers, coaches or previous internships.
3. Emphasise responsibility, not just experience
Many young people lack extensive work experience. That makes it especially important to show that you are punctual, can take responsibility, are flexible and willing to learn.
4. Be open to evenings, weekends and commuting
Jobs in retail, healthcare, social care, warehousing, restaurants and services often require flexibility. Those who can work unsociable hours or travel a bit further can increase their chances.
5. Make every application concrete
Do not simply write that you are “positive and driven”. Describe what you can contribute: customer service experience, language skills, involvement in associations, babysitting, technical skills or other practical experience.
6. Take care of your first salary
Once you get a job, it is wise to immediately plan how the money will be used. Put some aside for savings, avoid unnecessary subscriptions and see your salary as the start of good financial habits.
Youth Unemployment by County
| County | Youth unemployment | Among men | Among women |
|---|---|---|---|
| Södermanland | 11.0% | 12.8% | 9.0% |
| Gävleborg | 10.5% | 12.0% | 8.8% |
| Västmanland | 10.3% | 11.5% | 9.0% |
| Skåne | 9.6% | 11.4% | 7.7% |
| Blekinge | 8.4% | 9.2% | 7.5% |
| Kronoberg | 8.1% | 9.3% | 6.7% |
| Värmland | 7.8% | 9.6% | 5.9% |
| Östergötland | 7.7% | 9.1% | 6.3% |
| Västernorrland | 7.6% | 8.9% | 6.1% |
| Stockholm | 7.5% | 9.0% | 6.0% |
| Kalmar | 7.5% | 8.9% | 5.9% |
| Västra Götaland | 7.2% | 8.8% | 5.6% |
| Örebro | 7.2% | 8.8% | 5.6% |
| Uppsala | 6.8% | 8.8% | 5.1% |
| Jämtland | 6.2% | 6.9% | 5.6% |
| Jönköping | 6.2% | 7.0% | 5.3% |
| Västerbotten | 6.1% | 7.6% | 4.6% |
| Dalarna | 5.9% | 6.9% | 4.9% |
| Halland | 5.7% | 6.7% | 4.7% |
| Gotland | 4.2% | 5.2% | 3.2% |
| Norrbotten | 3.8% | 4.3% | 3.4% |
The county table shows youth unemployment by county, with Södermanland having the highest youth unemployment and Norrbotten the lowest.
About the Analysis
Sambla Group’s analysis is based on monthly statistics on youth unemployment from the Swedish Public Employment Service. To provide a more stable picture of developments, monthly data has been aggregated to quarterly level. The third quarter covers July, August and September 2026.
The analysis compares developments with the previous quarter and with the corresponding quarter of the previous year.
The Swedish Public Employment Service’s statistics on youth unemployment differ somewhat from those of Statistics Sweden. This is mainly due to students. A full-time student who is actively looking for a part-time or summer job and is able to start working may be counted as unemployed in Statistics Sweden’s Labour Force Survey, while the Swedish Public Employment Service only includes those registered with the agency. This makes Statistics Sweden’s figures higher.
The statistics on vacancies without educational requirements have been compiled based on vacancies in the Swedish Public Employment Service’s Platsbanken on 19 October, in occupational groups that generally do not require any education.
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Sambla Group is a leading Nordic fintech company dedicated to helping consumers strengthen their financial well-being. Through its market-leading brands, Sambla Group helps people improve the terms of their financial commitments and navigate important financial decisions with greater confidence and transparency. By combining technology, data-driven insights, and customer-centric services, the Group's ambition is to become the most trusted partner in personal finance in the Nordics.
