The Swiss voice in the world since 1935
Top stories
Stay in touch with Switzerland

Watchmaking workforce remains stable despite pandemic

Man looking at watches
The Swiss watch industry has retained staff in 2021 Keystone / Martin Ruetschi

The annual census of the Swiss watch industry labour force found that partial unemployment helped the industry weather the pandemic over the last year. The number of employees in the industry remained stable in 2021 while the share of high skilled staff increased.

There are just under 60,000 people working in the watchmaking industry in Switzerland, which is less than a 1% decrease from 2020. Partial unemployment enabled companies to adapt to the changing demand during the pandemic while keeping employees, according to the annual censusExternal link from the Employers’ Convention of the Watchmaking Industry. The 2020 census results showed the share of employees in the sector fell by 2.6% due to adverse economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Partial unemployment benefits help cover the shortfall if an employer needs to cut back in labour hours. This can prevent layoffs. It was used frequently during earlier waves of the Covid-19 pandemic when many businesses had to close their doors temporarily under the partial lockdown.

The sector is also attracting more highly skilled individuals with a 3.4% increase in the number of people with higher education qualification in the last year. The proportion of qualified staff now represents 70% of the total workforce, according to a press statement.

The top three watchmaking cantons in terms of staff numbers remain Neuchatel (15,063), Bern (12,301) and Geneva (10,499). These three cantons, together with Jura, Vaud and Solothurn, make up the “watchmaking arc”, which represents 92% of total employees.

The flagship of Swiss industry, which sells nearly 95% of its products abroad, experienced a 22% drop in exports in 2020, comparable to the recession that followed the financial crisis in 2009.

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

Alleged leader of Kosovar terrorist organisation indicted

More

Alleged leader of Kosovar terrorist group indicted in Switzerland

This content was published on The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland has brought charges against a Kosovar on suspicion of being the leader of the Swiss branch of a Kosovar terrorist organisation. He is also suspected of having been active in the management of the organisation in Kosovo.

Read more: Alleged leader of Kosovar terrorist group indicted in Switzerland
Lenk Glacier Lake drained without complications

More

Swiss glacier lake drains without causing flooding damage

This content was published on The Faverges glacial lake on the Plaine Morte above Lenk in the Bernese Oberland drained over the weekend. There was no flooding or damage, the authorities announced on Monday.

Read more: Swiss glacier lake drains without causing flooding damage
Swiss managers distance themselves from the USA

More

Swiss bosses distance themselves from the United States

This content was published on According to a survey of managers, Swiss companies are increasingly turning away from the USA and orientating themselves more towards Southeast Asia and the EU. This is the result of a recent survey.

Read more: Swiss bosses distance themselves from the United States
A live scarecrow competition to thrill Denens (VD)

More

Live scarecrow competition set to thrill Swiss

This content was published on The Fête de l'Epouvantail (scarecrow festival) is celebrating its 30th anniversary and returns to Denens in canton Vaud for its seventh edition from July 10-20.

Read more: Live scarecrow competition set to thrill Swiss
Man dies in accident on toboggan run in Matten near Interlaken BE

More

Man dies on Swiss toboggan run

This content was published on A 35-year-old man has died in a work accident at the valley station of the Heimwehfluh toboggan run in Matten near Interlaken, canton Bern.

Read more: Man dies on Swiss toboggan run
The Swiss embassy in Tehran reopens

More

Swiss embassy in Tehran re-opens

This content was published on The Swiss embassy in Tehran re-opened on Sunday after being closed on June 20 owing to the unstable situation in the country.

Read more: Swiss embassy in Tehran re-opens
Queen of the Netherlands attends European Championship match in Lucerne

More

Euro 2025: Dutch queen cheers on team in Lucerne

This content was published on Queen Maxima of the Netherlands and her youngest daughter Princess Ariane attended the Netherlands' women's European Championship football match against Wales in Switzerland on Saturday.

Read more: Euro 2025: Dutch queen cheers on team in Lucerne

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR