In Switzerland, much in life revolves around the canton. Cantons have their own health, social and education systems, parliaments and tax rates.
Federal government, based in Bern, is a layer that sits over the top, bringing the cantons together as Switzerland.
For some cantons, nationhood has a cost. For others it means extra money. Every year, based on a collection of complicated formulae, the federal government calculates how much certain cantons must pay other cantons, a kind of solidarity transfer.
Today, the inter-cantonal transfers for 2019 were published.
At the same time, the Federal government puts money into the transfer pot – in 2019 it will put in 3.4 billion francs, by far the largest contribution.
The big payers in 2019 will be Zurich (487 million), Zug (329), Geneva (300), Schwyz (299) and Basel-City (125). And the largest recipients will be Bern (1,187 million), Valais (730), St. Gallen (468) and Aargau (400) – see chart above.
On a per capita basis, taxpayers in Zug (-2,727 francs) will contribute the most and the residents of Jura (+2,288 francs) will benefit the most – see chart above.
2019 payments are similar to those for 2018.
More on this:
Government press release (in French) – Take a 5 minute French test now
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