In January 2020, there were 5 034 000 employed persons. The unemployment rate was 7.5 percent, an increase of 1.0 percentage points. The average number of hours worked per week amounted to 135.8 million. Smoothed and seasonally adjusted data indicates an increase in both the employment and unemployment rates; the unemployment rate was 7.0 percent.
Total Swedish liabilities in debt securities amounted to SEK 8 022 billion at the end of January, up by SEK 346 billion from December. The increase is evenly distributed between bonds and money market instruments.
The Construction Cost Index for multi-dwelling buildings increased by 0.8 percent between December 2019 and January 2020. On an annual basis, construction costs rose by 3.0 percent in January.
Swedish business inventories increased minimally in constant prices in the fourth quarter. This development corresponds to an unchanged percentage development in volume.
Household consumption increased by 3.7 percent in December, compared with December 2018 measured in fixed prices and working day adjusted figures. In the fourth quarter, consumption increased by 3.0 percent in fixed prices and working day adjusted figures, compared with the same period a year ago. Household consumption increased by 0.5 percent in seasonally adjusted figures compared with November 2019.