The Swiss working population and job market have both continued their growth during the first quarter of 2008.

According to the Federal Statistics Office, 2.6 per cent more people - a total of 4.469 million - were holding down full-time and part-time jobs than over the same period last year.

The number of women employed went up three per cent – against 2.2 per cent for men - to 1.994 million. For foreigners, growth was 4.2 per cent to 1.179 million.

The figure for Swiss nationals rose two per cent.

Added up, total number of hours worked by the Swiss labour force would have been equivalent to 3.899 million full-time jobs, an increase of 2.8 per cent. Nearly three-quarters of jobs were in the service sector.

Central Switzerland saw the biggest increase, up four per cent, while the eastern part of the country lagged behind with 1.8 per cent growth.

The statistics office says it expects job numbers to keep rising during the second quarter of 2008. The index of available jobs has increased by nearly 14 per cent over the past quarter and most companies should maintain or increase their staff numbers.

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