The number of people in Switzerland suffering from pollen allergies has risen dramatically. Today, around 20% of the population has an allergic reaction to pollen. Epidemiological studies across the world show that allergies in general have tripled over the last 30 years, according to the CHUV hospital in Lausanne. Pollen allergies are an immune system […]
Number below poverty line rises in Switzerland
In Switzerland, the revenue poverty line is income of CHF 27,108 (US$ 27,490) a year for someone living alone and CHF 47,880 (US$ 48,550) for a family of four. In 2017, the percentage of Switzerland’s population living below the poverty line was 8.2% or 675,000 people. In 2016, the percentage was 7.6%. Those most likely […]
Foxtrail – an adventure game on the streets of Lausanne
As we zoomed down the metro line, the puzzle unfolded with the first clue we were given: watch for the fox’s green paw print on the rail track. Later, during our half-day adventure chasing the “fox”, we had to figure out a series of other clues: a barometer showing a thieving alligator, a particular sewer […]
Switzerland has highest percentage of millionaires
A generation ago millionaires were relatively rare. These days it is fairly easy to rub shoulders with one. According to a report by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) there were 22 million US$ millionaires worldwide in 2018. One driver of the rising number of millionaires is inflation. A million dollars isn’t worth what it once […]
The rising carbon footprint of Switzerland’s new cars
In 2018, the average fuel consumption of newly registered cars in Switzerland rose by 3.6% compared to the year before. An average new car in 2018 consumes 6.08 litres per 100 km compared to the year before when it was 5.87 litres per 100 km. Average emissions for the same average new car in 2018 […]
Switzerland number one for expat pay and stability
In 2019, Switzerland came top overall in a ranking of destinations for expatriates to live and work, moving up from eighth last year. Singapore, which had held the top spot for four years in the HSBC’s list of the best countries for expatriates, dropped to second place. Switzerland scored highly on salaries (1st), stability (1st), […]
Animals mistreated on 13% of Swiss farms
Switzerland’s Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) recently published the results of its farm inspections in 2018. 35% of the 10,647 inspections were done without warning, a percentage above the 10% minimum. 87% of farms were found to be operating on or above minimum Swiss animal welfare standards, while 13% were below the minimum. […]
Court agrees – cross-border workers cannot expect places in Geneva schools
Geneva’s administrative court recently confirmed the government’s decision to refuse school places to children living in France. The court confirmed the legal validity of a ruling on the issue by the canton’s State Council, the government’s executive. Some opposed to the State Council’s position had taken the issue to court arguing that it was at odds […]
Blanket ban on mobile phones in Vaud schools
From the beginning of the next school year, mobile phone use will be banned in Vaud schools, according to 20 Minutes. Many other cantons have banned mobile phone use in classrooms, however the Vaud ban will include all use on school premises, both inside and outside the classroom. Phone use will only be allowed for […]
Public canteens in Vaud might soon have a meat-free day
Some members of Vaud’s government are demanding a meat-free day in public canteens to promote more environmentally friendly eating, according to the newspaper Le Matin. Producing a gram of animal protein has a much higher environmental impact than a gram of vegetable protein. Livestock production accounts for 70% of all agricultural land (grazing and feedstock […]
