After increasing for three quarters in a row, residential property prices in Switzerland fell during the first quarter of 2024, according to data from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). The Swiss residential property price index (IMPI) fell by 1.0% in the period from January to March 2024. At the same time prices remained 1.5% higher than they […]
Inflation returns to Switzerland in April
Consumer prices in Switzerland increased by 0.316% in April 2024, rising 1.4% over the previous 12 months, reported Switzerland’s Federal Statistical Office (FSO) this week. However, annualised, the monthly rate comes to 3.79%, a rate well above the Swiss National Bank’s (SNB) preferred maximum of 2%. April’s 0.3% monthly price increase was driven by several […]
Swiss National Bank profits bounce back to record level
This week, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) announced a record quarterly profit for the first quarter of 2024. The result was largely predicted after the SNB made a surprise interest rate cut, which led to a weaker Swiss Franc. Switzerland’s central bank is unusual. It is privately owned (mainly by a German citizen) but distributes […]
Recent cold threatens Swiss grape harvest
The severe drop in temperatures across Switzerland last week froze large areas of wine grape vines. Parts of Vaud and Geneva have been particularly hard hit, reported RTS. Wine growers now fear for their coming grape harvest. While it is too soon to quantify potential harvest damage, one farmer in the canton of Geneva reported […]
Death of Swiss soldier probably suicide
This week, a young man doing his Swiss military service was killed when a rifle went off. After the incident, which occured at the Bremgarten weapons range in Aargau on Tuesday, the military justice department opened an investigation. On Friday, the department announced the death was probably suicide, reported SRF. On Tuesday, a shot was […]
Swiss commission wants asylum seekers deported to third country
An idea put forward by the FDP/PLR to have certain rejected asylum seekers sent to a country other than the one they came from found support in a parliamentary commission this week, reported SRF. The comission voted 14 to 11 in favour of the idea. Normally, asylum seekers who have their applications rejected are returned […]
Lack of psychotherapists leaving Swiss children in crisis
A rising number of children and young people in Switzerland are facing psychological problems. Research done by SRF shows there are too few professionals to meet rising demand for treatment. Social media is a key driver of rising distress among young people. Much of it floods them with images and stories that make them feel […]
French on the rise in Switzerland’s bilingual cities
Switzerland has three main languages, and liguistic divides run through some cities such as Biel/Biennes and Freiburg/Fribourg. In Swiss cities in general, French is on the rise. In bilingual cities where some residents speak French at home and others German, French is gaining ground fast, according to data from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). There […]
Swiss cabinet members get to keep their perks
Recently, Federal Councillors, or cabinet members, lost their free ski passes. This week, parliament voted on whether they should be able to keep their other perks, reported RTS. These perks include free first class train passes for themselves and their partners, two cars – one for work engagements and another for private use, free phone […]
Switzerland breaks electricity record in 2023
Electricity production in Switzerland rose by 13.5% in 2023, reaching a new record of 72.1 billion kWh, reported the Federal Office of Electricity (FOE). Production from both hydropower plants (+21.7%) and nuclear plants (+1%) was higher. Hydro (56.6%) and nuclear (32.4%) made up 89% of the total. The remaining 11% came from thermal and renewable sources. The […]
