Labour market

Public Sector

Östersund´s labour market is very reliant on the public sector. Of the 31,530 registered employments in 2004, no less than 12,680 (40%) were here, while 18,850 (60%) were in private trade and industry or in other organizations. The national over-all ratio 2004 was 31/69.

Commuting

The labour market of Östersund does not only include people living within the municipality. According to statistics from 2004, some 4,800 people commute from other parts of the county to Östersund, while 1,600 people commute from Östersund. This results in a positive net balance of 3,200 people.

Broadening of the labour market

Östersund is currently subject to a changeover, which in time will result in a broader labour market and a wider range of opportunities. A programme aimed at relocating governmental jobs will result in some 1,300 new employments for the region. Tourism, consulting, industry and constructing are stable areas within the private sector. In the county of Jämtland there is presently a great demand for a number of skilled professions, e.g. pre-school teachers, floor installers and dentists.

Unemployment

For some years in the 1990s, employment rates dropped considerably in Östersund. By 1997, figures were down to 28,000 employees, a decrease by 7,600 inseven years. Since then, however, employment figures are steadily improving. In October 2006, the unemployment rate was 8.0 per cent, while the equivalent for the county of Jämtland was 7.7% and for Sweden, on the whole, 5.8%.