Switzerland’s federal accounts ended 2020 with a record-breaking deficit of CHF 15.8 billion. The deficit was caused by the pandemic. An unexpected CHF 3.6 billion fall in revenue combined with net CHF 12.5 billion in largely unplanned expenses combined to take the overall result CHF 16.1 billion below the expected positive net result of CHF […]
Poverty in Switzerland: fresh data on those struggling to get by
In 2019, the poverty line in Switzerland was CHF 27,348 (US$ 30,500) for a single person and CHF 47,712 (US$ 53,200) for a couple with two young children. The figures are calculated by SKOS based on the cost of living in Switzerland. People with incomes below these levels in Switzerland are considered to by living […]
Covid: Swiss government presents plan to reopen
On 17 February 2021, Switzerland’s Federal Council presented its plan to start reopening from 1 March 2021. With the number of new infections declining over recent weeks, political pressure has been growing for a return towards normality. A petition opposed to anti-Covid restrictions has now been signed by more than 250,000 people. At its meeting […]
Covid: more than 1% of Swiss population fully vaccinated
The latest figures published by Switzerland’s Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) show that 1.18% of Switzerland’s population has been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 since vaccinations began on 21 December 2020. The percentages varies by canton. The canton of Nidwalden, where 4.65% of the population have received a full course of vaccine, leads the way. […]
Growing black market trade in fake Covid tests, say Swiss authorities
European and Swiss authorities are seeing the emergence of an illegal trade in false negative Covid-19 test results, reported RTS. As more and more countries introduce requirements to produce negative Covid-19 tests as a condition of entry, so do the incentives to buy and sell false test results. This week, Switzerland introduced a new rule […]
Using Swiss tax money to promote meat should stop, argue environmentalists
Every year, Swiss tax payers contribute CHF 5.4 million to the promotion and marketing of Swiss meat. The money is paid to Proviande, a meat industry association, and it is used to promote and market meat produced in Switzerland. For environmentalists, using public funds to promote and advertise an environmentally damaging product makes no sense. […]
More than 230,000 sign petition to end lockdown in Switzerland
A petition aimed at pressuring the federal government into ending coronavirus restrictions has collected more than 230,000 signatures. The petition was started by members of the young liberals party (FDP/PLR) in Zurich. It is supported by the Swiss Peoples Party (SVP/UDC) and USAM/SGV, a small business association. Petition organisers demand restaurants, bars, leisure and sports […]
Covid: Swiss cases and deaths down further this week
This week, Switzerland’s Covid figures continued to improve. Over the seven days to 12 February 2021, Switzerland reported 8,854 new positive Covid-19 cases and 155 deaths. The number of daily cases reported in Switzerland over the same period averaged 1,265, a figure 16% lower than the daily reported average of 1,508 reported the week before. The number […]
Middle class shrinks in Switzerland
Statistics published at the end of January 2021 show a fall in the percentage of the population included in the definition of middle class in Switzerland. Middle class includes everyone belonging to a household with a gross income of between 70% and 150% of the median, according to a definition by Switzerland’s Federal Statistical Office. […]
Covid: new negative test requirement for entering Switzerland
From Monday 8 February 2021, many people entering Switzerland require a negative PCR test. Currently, there are restrictions on who can enter Switzerland. Generally, only those with a Swiss passport, a valid Swiss residence or cross-border permit, and those who are citizens of an EU or EFTA nation are allowed to enter Switzerland under the […]
