This week, Switzerland’s parliament voted in favour of spending an extra CHF 4 billion on the nation’s military, bringing annual military expenditure to 1% of GDP earlier than planned, reported RTS. The extra CHF 4 billion will bring the total budget to CHF 30 million spread across the period from 2025 to 2028. The Federal […]
Vacant homes become increasingly scarce in Switzerland
Data published this week by Switzerland’s Federal Statistical Office (FSO) show a decline in the number of vacant homes, both to buy and rent in Switzerland. On 1 June 2024, there were 51,974 empty homes in Switzerland, representing 1.08% of the country’s total housing stock. The number was down by 2,791 (-5.1%) compared to the […]
Switzerland’s population reaches 9 million
Data published this week by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) show that Switzerland’s population reached more than 9 million at the end of June 2024. Census data show there were 9,002,763 people permanently residing in Switzerland at 30 June 2024. The FSO has run a population census seven times since 1850, when the total number […]
Switzerland’s cow parade (désalpe/alpabzug) 2024 and its history
By Bill Harby What exactly is the alpine descent or désalpe / alpabzug? This article explores the event’s history and where to see it. In Switzerland, we know the clock will soon strike autumn when processions of cows crowned with flowers and hung with huge clanging bells, descend from summer alpine pastures to their winter […]
Swiss want more political action on immigration
A survey report published this week shows that the population of Switzerland increasingly sees immigration as a challenge and desires political action. Overall, while the economic and cultural effects of immigration are viewed positively, the strains on infrastructure, housing and the environment are viewed negatively. In addition, negativity towards immigration is showing among groups that […]
Rise in rate of suicidal thoughts in Switzerland
A report published this week shows a mixed picture regarding suicide in Switzerland. On one hand, the number of suicides is declining. On the other, the number of people with suicidal thought is rising rapidly, particularly among young people, women in particular. In 2022, 958 people took their own lives, a rate of around 11 […]
Swiss upper house rejects plan to extend family reunification rules
Currently, under the agreement Switzerland has with the EU/EFTA, EU/EFTA citizens with a legal right to reside in Switzerland can bring their parents to Switzerland. Citizens of Switzerland can only bring parents with EU/EFTA residency. A proposal to extend this right to include the non-EU/EFTA based parents of Swiss citizens was rejected by the Council […]
Swiss parliament votes to cut UN aid to Palestine
On 9 September 2024, a majority of Switzerland’s parliament voted to suspend payments to the UNRWA, a part of the United Nations that supports the relief and human development of Palestinian refugees. The proposition was put forward by the Swiss People’s Party (UDC/SVP) and was supported by 99 versus 88 members, with 7 abstaining, reported […]
Swiss Rail financial results disappoint
This week, Swiss Rail published its half-year results. During the first six months of 2024, the company made a profit of CHF 50.8 million, a level far below what is required for it to operate comfortably and service its debt. As a rule of thumb, to remain in good financial shape the company needs to […]
Push for federal cuts faces revolt from cantons
Switzerland’s federal government is spending more money than it collects in taxes. This week, a federal commission set out options for spending cuts, reported SRF. The problem is than some of them would involve less federal money going to cantonal governments. Switzerland’s Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter hopes to break the deadlock around balancing the federal […]
