The Swedish job market in 2024 saw big shifts, making it clear that adaptability and specialization are more important than ever. Here’s a breakdown of the key trends that happened in the Nordics in 2024 and what they predict for 2025:
1. More Freelancers and Independent Consultants
- The number of available consultants reached an all-time high (+26.9%).
- Freelancing is growing fast—over 80% of consultants on the registered consulting platforms are now independent professionals.
- Companies are looking for flexibility, meaning more short-term and project-based work.
- Self-employment is becoming more popular with internationals as it offers self-visa sponsorship and an easier path to being hired.
2. Higher Demand for Experienced and Specialized Professionals
- Companies are now more selective in hiring and prefer experts over generalists.
- Increased demand for senior and specialist consultants in project management, data analytics, UX/UI, and IT leadership roles.
- Management & Strategy roles saw a rise, particularly for project managers, indicating new project initiations (this could also apply to strategic marketing roles).
- Growth in Technology & Engineering, as well as Building & Construction and Human Resources sectors.
3. Consultant Rates Stay Low Despite Inflation
- Hourly rates stayed mostly the same in 2024 (-0.7% for sellers, -0.9% for buyers) despite inflation.
- Rates increased for management, UX/UI, and data roles but stagnated for developers.
- This suggests companies are willing to pay for expertise but are cost-conscious about generalist roles.
- Companies are carefully managing costs, which means strong negotiation skills will be important.
4. Hybrid Work is Now the Norm
- Companies are reducing fully remote roles and favoring hybrid setups instead.
- More job postings now require a mix of remote and in-office work.
- Those who can adapt to hybrid work models will have more job options.
- More companies expect part-time or flexible work arrangements, aligning with freelancer growth.
5. More Job Opportunities in Certain Regions
- Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö remain the biggest job hubs.
- Growth is highest in major cities, but Västra Götaland, Gävleborg, and Kalmar are emerging hotspots.
- Job seekers may find better opportunities outside the biggest cities.
- Stockholm leads in freelancer and company registrations.
What This Means for 2025 (Summary)
- Freelancing and short-term consulting contracts will keep increasing.
- Specialized skills will be more valuable than ever.
- Hybrid work will dominate, while fully remote jobs will decline.
- Job seekers will need to be adaptable and flexible.
- If you have specialized skills, 2025 could be a great year for job opportunities.
What This Means for 2025 (Industry Trends)
- Tech & IT: Strong demand for data analysts, AI specialists, cybersecurity experts, and IT leaders, but general developer roles remain highly competitive with lower wages.
- Project Management & Business Strategy: Companies are investing in leadership roles, so project managers, change managers, and business analysts will see steady demand.
- Design & User Experience: UX/UI designers and product managers are seeing higher demand and better rates as businesses prioritize user-friendly digital experiences.
- Engineering & Construction: Growth in building and construction means more opportunities for engineers and technical specialists.
- Human Resources & Consulting: Increased focus on hiring strategy, organizational change, and talent development creates new opportunities for HR professionals and consultants.
The Swedish job market is changing fast, and those who stay ahead of trends will have the best chances of success in 2025!
*Source for this article: https://www.brainville.com/Content/Reports/Brainville%20Statistics%20H2%202024.pdf?utm_source=Report&utm_medium=Report&utm_campaign=BS_H2_2024
Written by Amanda Herzog, the founder of Intertalents In Sweden. She offers career coaching services, online courses, lectures and other resources to help foreign-born professionals find career success in Sweden. Learn more and book a session with her at www.intertalentsinsweden.com/services.
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