New Report: The Tech Industry Remains a Top Choice as an Attractive Employer
The tech industry remains one of the most attractive sectors to work in. In the Nyckeltalsinstitutet’s latest survey, tech ranks third among Swedish industries. Favorable employment conditions, significant investments in professional development, and low sick leave rates are among the industry’s key strengths.
In recent years, the tech industry has consistently ranked above the average for the Swedish workforce in the Key Figures Institute’s Attractive Employer Index®. In this year’s survey, the tech industry ranks third among the industries surveyed.
The industry remains a strong employer and offers excellent opportunities for both professional development and a sustainable work life.
“For several years, the tech industry has stood out for its strong combination of favorable employment conditions, significant investments in professional development, and low rates of sick leave. This year’s results show that the industry remains a strong employer and offers good conditions for both professional development and a sustainable work life,” says Tina Ekström, CEO of the Nyckeltalsinstitutet.
Attractive employment terms and significant investments in skills development
About 99 percent of employees in the tech industry have permanent employment, compared with 96 percent in the Swedish workforce as a whole. Tech companies also continue to invest heavily in their employees. On average, nine days per employee per year are allocated to professional development—three days more than in the Swedish workforce as a whole. This places the tech sector at the top when it comes to investing in professional development.
“Rapid technological advancements are changing both job roles and skill requirements. The fact that tech companies are investing so heavily in continuous learning demonstrates a strong commitment and ability to develop the skills needed for the future. This is crucial in a knowledge-intensive industry where employees’ skills and dedication drive innovation and competitiveness,” says Jenny Moberg, an expert in labor law at TechSverige.
One of Sweden's healthiest industries
The tech industry remains one of the healthiest sectors in the Key Figures Institute’s database. Short-term sick leave amounts to about three to four days per employee per year, compared with four to five days in the Swedish workforce as a whole.
The industry also has an average of nine employees per manager. This high ratio of managers to employees creates favorable conditions for hands-on leadership and for the early detection and prevention of health issues.
Continued efforts to address workforce skills and gender equality
At the same time, the survey highlights challenges. In 2025, just over 11 percent of permanent employees left their employers, while new hires accounted for just over 9 percent. Of those hired in 2024, one in six had left within a year. This trend reflects a weaker economic climate that led to lower recruitment and fewer employees in the industry.
Gender equality has improved compared to the previous year, partly due to a greater number of gender-balanced occupational groups and a more gender-balanced management structure. However, Tech still falls below the average for the Swedish workforce. About 30 percent of employees are women, and only one in five occupational groups has an even gender distribution.
– The results show both a strong foundation and areas where the industry needs to continue to develop. Companies need to become even better at attracting and retaining talent and bringing more women into the industry. With attractive terms, significant investments in skills, and a good work environment, the tech industry is well-positioned to meet future talent needs and remain one of Sweden’s most attractive industries, says Jenny Moberg.
Results of the survey
- Tech is the third most attractive industry in the Nyckeltalsinstitutet ranking.
- About 99 percent of employees have permanent positions.
- On average, tech companies invest nine days per employee per year in professional development.
- Short-term sick leave stands at 1.7 percent, which is equivalent to three to four days per employee per year.
- Tech companies have an average of nine employees per manager.
- In terms of the industry’s gender distribution, women and men have largely equal opportunities to become managers.
- The boards of tech companies have achieved gender parity at the industry level, with women making up 43 percent of board members.
About the Key Figures Institute
The Key Figures Institute, which has been part of Heartpace since 2025, has been surveying and analyzing working conditions in the Swedish labor market since 1996. The database covers the working conditions of approximately 800,000 employees across 400 employers, representing nearly 40 percent of all employers with at least 50 employees in Sweden.
About TechSverige
TechSverige is the leading industry and employer organization that brings together the core of the Swedish tech sector—companies that develop, deliver, and enable technology in Sweden and operate in the Swedish, European, and global markets. We represent approximately 1,400 companies that collectively have nearly 100,000 employees in Sweden. Our mission is to work with our members to create favorable conditions for a competitive and responsible tech industry in Sweden.