Employment

In 2009, more than two million people were employed in the Lake Constance region. Employment figures have been rising: Between 2001 and 2009 the number of employed persons rose by eigth percent. 40 percent of those employed in the region (more than 800,000 workers) work in the canton of Zurich.

The largest share of workers in the region are employed in the service industry. Almost 1.5 million people or about 69 percent of all employed persons find their jobs in the third sector. A growth of approximately ten percent can be reported since 2001.

A comparison between the Swiss, German and Austrian parts of the Lake Constance region and the respective national states reveals a similar picture of the employment structure in the region.

The following provides a more detailed view of the employment structure in the region:

• Compared to the whole of Austria, Vorarlberg boasts a stronger industrial sector. In Austria's most western state the building and construction as well as the travel industry are above average within the Lake Constance region.

• Manufacturing plays an important part in Liechtenstein:The principality shows high employment shares especially in the financial, insurance, engineering and food industry.

• The employment structure in the Swiss part of the Lake Constance region is less homogenous: While Zurich boasts an above-average employment share in the service sector, commerce, financial and insurance industries are not particularly well represented. In comparison to Lake Constance region, the eastern Swiss cantons have a similar employment structure.

• In the German part of the Lake Constance region manufacturing - with the exception of Kempten and Constance - is by far the most important industry.