In many places one language is all that is required at work. In Switzerland, 37.7% of workers surveyed reported regularly using two or more languages at work, according to data published by the Federal Statistical Office on 6 September 2022. While 62.3% used only one language at work, 22.2% regularly used two and 15.5% used […]
Swiss GDP growth jumps in 2021
Switzerland’s Gross domestic product (GDP) grew 4.2% in 2021, according to recently released data by Switzerland’s Federal Statistical Office (FSO). The increase follows a decrease of -2.4% in 2020, a year marking the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. Thanks to this upswing, GDP in 2021 was above the level of 2019, although some areas of the […]
Swiss government sets 15% gas saving target
This week, the federal government fixed a voluntary objective for Switzerland to reduce gas consumption by 15% over the coming winter, according to RTS. The Federal Council’s 15% gas saving objective, announced on 24 August 2021, covers the period between October 2022 and March 2023. The EU has set the same objective. Switzerland produces no […]
Winter electricity cuts feared, says head of Swiss commission
Electricity cuts lasting several hours are predicted this winter in Switzerland, according to Laurianne Altwegg, vice president of the Federal Electricity Commission. This winter we should ensure we have enough candles and wood for a wood stove for those who have one, advised Altwegg in an interview with RTS. Outages may not occur, but it […]
No money likely from Swiss National Bank after large loss
Like most central banks the Swiss National Bank (SNB) is tasked with monetary stability. However, in the process it can inadvertently generate large profits and losses. When monetary policy is expansionist and the resulting assets held by the SNB rise in value it can generate large profits as it has over the last few years. […]
Switzerland faces energy uncertainty like never before, says energy authority
This week, Benoît Revaz, head of the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE), said there is an unprecedented level of uncertainty in Europe concerning energy provision, reported RTS. Prices have been seriously affected by the war in Ukraine and Switzerland has not been spared, said Revaz. We are now experiencing the first global energy crisis […]
Men continue to dominate the leadership of state companies in Switzerland
An article published by RTS presents data that shows men outnumber women among the leaders of 20 of Switzerland’s 26 largest state affiliated companies. Like in much of the developed world politicians in Switzerland are pushing to get more women into top spots. Switzerland’s Federal Council has said it aims to have 40% of leadership […]
Switzerland unwelcoming to expats, shows survey
A survey of expats published on 12 July 2022 ranks Switzerland 43rd out of 52 nations on ease of settling in. The definition of an expat is based on the sample used in the Expat Insider 2022 survey. This group was 46 years old on average, more female (52%) than male (47%), most likely to […]
Switzerland gets green light to restart oldest nuclear power plant
On 1 July 2022, the Swiss Federal Nuclear Safety Inspectorate (FNSI) gave a green light for the restart of Beznau 1, Switzerland’s oldest nuclear reactor. The reactor, which entered operation in 1969, was shut down on 29 April 2022 for planned annual maintenance. During the work the fuel assembly was replaced, said FNSI. The work […]
Nearly 1 in 6 lives in a household with outstanding debts in Switzerland
Even before high inflation hit people’s pockets many Swiss households were over extended. In 2020, almost one in six residents lived in a household with debt arrears, according to data released this week by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). The most common overdue payments were taxes (7.5%), health insurance premiums (5.5%), phone bills (4.1%), utility […]
