In the past month, the share of unemployed has increased dramatically and on a broad front - both geographically and in different industries. But the local variations are large. Some of the municipalities are hit very hard, while others perform unexpectedly well, according to new figures from the Employment Service that TT has produced.

The municipalities where the proportion of unemployed increased the most in the country in March compared to February are Arjeplog, Strömstad, Värmdö, Åre and Dorotea.

Several factors influence the degree to which a municipality is affected - among other things, what kind of business structure exists, commuting opportunities to other cities and what age group the unemployed residents belong to, according to Sandra Offesson's labor market analyst at the Employment Service.

Tops the list

In the municipality of Arjeplog, the share of unemployed has increased most in the entire country - by almost 23 per cent from February to March this year. Among the largest industries in the municipality are the car testing industry, whose slowdown in the corona crisis in turn hits the hotel industry and the service profession. The hospitality industry also accounts for a large part of Arjeplog's jobs, but now the industry has almost completely stopped.

- In normal cases, very few are unemployed here, because almost everyone is swallowed up by the hospitality industry and the test business. It is a challenging situation in every way, says Anna Kaltenegger, administrative manager at Arjeplog municipality.

"Like a Greek island in November"

High up on the list of severely affected municipalities is also Strömstad, where the proportion of unemployed has increased by 14.5 percent. The two dominant industries in the municipality that generate the most jobs are border trade and the hospitality industry. The fact that the border with Norway has been closed has a significant impact, says Kent Hansson, chairman of the municipal council.

- The business sector is largely built on Norwegian visitors. Now it's like a Greek island in November. Normally, visitors from Norway all year round are shopping, staying in hotels and eating at a restaurant, says Kent Hansson, chairman of the Strömstad municipal council.

Large shopping centers in the municipality have laid off virtually all staff. About 25 percent of the working population in the municipality is now unemployed and there is an imminent risk that many companies will go bankrupt, he notes.