Switzerland’s system of compulsory health insurance already requires patients to pay a portion of medical bills in addition to paying premiums. To stem the rise in premiums, an old idea has resurfaced: make patients pay an even greater share of their medical costs. This week, some political parties voiced support for a higher minimum deductible, […]
Swiss smoking rate declines but remains high
In 2022, 24% of Switzerland’s population smoked, according to data published on 2 July 2024 by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). This percentage is down 3 percentage points from the rate in 2017 when the survey was last done. The smoking rate has fallen most significantly among people with tertiary education. The proportion of heavy […]
Swiss life expectancy reaches an all time high
This week, Unisanté published calculations showing Swiss life expectancy of 84 years for 2023, the highest level ever reached. Life expectancy at birth was 82.2 for men and 85.6 for women, said Unisanté, referencing its calculations based on Federal Statistical Office (FSO) data. These figures are higher than they were in 2019, before the Covid-19 […]
Swiss premium relief vote shifts towards rejection
Rising health insurance premiums, which partly fund Switzerland’s healthcare system, are a key concern among Swiss voters. An initiative that aims to subsidise the premiums of those on low incomes will be put to voters on 9 June 2024. Had the vote taken place in April 2024, 56% of voters would have supported it. However, […]
Winter avalanche deaths above Swiss average
Over the last 20 years, there have been an average of 21 avalanche deaths per year in Switzerland. During the winter of 2023/24, 23 lives were cut short by avalanches, according to data published by the Swiss Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (WSL) in Davos, a figure slightly above average. At 261, the number […]
Swiss salt consumption remains too high
Salt can cause high blood pressure, which increases the risk of heart disease, heart attacks and strokes. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends no more than 5 grams a day. A study published this week shows Swiss men eat nearly double (9.9g) that and Swiss women nearly 50% more (7.4g). The study published by the […]
Gambling addiction rising fast in Switzerland
With the arrival of the internet, gambling was transformed. It became easier to access and market gambling products. Data published this week show how this continues lure an increasing number of people in Switzerland to bet, which is pushing up the number of people with a gambling addiction. According to the report by an organisation […]
Health insurance expected to rise in 2025
This week, the price comparison website Comparis published an article containing estimates of health insurance premium rises next year. It expects premiums to rise by an average of 6% in 2025. Despite average premiums rising 8.7% in 2024, some insurance companies will have thin reserves by the the end of the year, forcing them to […]
Swiss health care costs continued to rise in 2022
Data published this week by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) show a 2.5% rise in spending on healthcare in Switzerland in 2022. The increase is below the average rate of 3.2% over the five years before. During 2022, Switzerland spent CHF 91.5 billion on healthcare, which is more than CHF 10,000 per person. Between 2021 […]
Swiss parliament rejects adding dental care to basic insurance
The cost of healthcare and the compulsory insurance residents must pay to fund it continue to rise. In 2022, healthcare spending rose 2.5%. At the same time, dental care is not covered. Politicians from the Green Party would like it included in basic cover. However, parliament voted against the idea this week, reported RTS. The […]
