The holes in Emmental cheese—its most iconic feature—have become less frequent in recent years. High performance modern milking machines have reduced the number of hay particles that traditionally made their way into the milk used for making the cheese. Now, a Swiss court has allowed cheese makers to add hay particles and still comply with […]
FIFA: court acquits Blatter and Platini on fraud allegations a second time
This week, a Swiss court upheld the acquittal of former FIFA president Joseph Blatter and former UEFA president Michel Platini on fraud charges, SRF reported. The public prosecutor had sought suspended prison sentences of one year and eight months for the two defendants over questionable payments. However, both Blatter (89) and Platini (69) were acquitted. […]
Switzerland slides in happiness ranking in 2025
In 2012, Switzerland was ranked the happiest nation on Earth. However, since then it has sadly slid from the top spot to 13th. While Switzerland continues to score well on GDP (3rd), healthy life expectancy, generosity (12th) and low perception of corruption (3rd), it has lost ground on social support (20th) and freedom (20th). The […]
Money remains main concern for Swiss families
The results of a survey on family life published on 20 March 2025 show that money remains the biggest concern among families in Switzerland. The survey sheds light on what families are currently concerned about and addresses the topics of family life, expectations, safety, retirement planning, pressure on parents and children, work-life balance, finances and […]
Most Muslims in Switzerland don’t report racist incidents
A recently published report shows that only a tiny percentage of rascist incidents affecting Muslims in Switzerland are reported. Around a third (35%) of Switzerland’s 450,000 Muslims report being victims of racism. However, only around 60 people a year report such incidents to Switzerland’s official racism reporting centres. Marianne Helfer, head of the Federal Office […]
The rush for Swiss passports in Zug
The canton of Zug recently tightened its citizenship laws. Since 1 January 2025, the rules for applying to become Swiss in the canton are more strict. In the months before these changes came into force, the number of applications skyrocketed, reported RTS. The requirements for becoming Swiss have federal, cantonal and municipal elements. This means […]
Zurich faces major shortage of workers by 2050
This week, modelling published by the Zurich Office for Economic Affairs, shows a significant shortage of workers emerging in the canton by 2050. Within 25 years, Zurich will have tens of thousands of workers less than it needs, despite a growing population. The modelling shows that as more people retire from the workforce than enter […]
Around 1 in 5 adults in Switzerland at bottom of numeracy and literacy scores
An OECD study published this week shows the level of literacy, numeracy and problem solving among the adult population across 31 OECD nations. Switzerland, scores above average on all three measures with significant differences across gender and educational backgrounds. These adult aptitude tests run by the OECD are known colloquially as adult PISA scores. In […]
New data on Switzerland’s gender pay gap
Across much of the developed world, gender pay disparities all but disappear if comparisons are made like for like, looking at individuals doing the same function in the same company, according to Korn Ferry Hay Group research, which looked at 20 million salaries at 25,000 organizations in 100 nations. However, because of job and career […]
Blokes and Black Dogs: It’s OK to talk
By Carl Wahlers Depression, suicide and loneliness are key factors among men over 40 years old, particularly expatriate and retirement age professionals living in countries such as Switzerland. It is often difficult to develop social ties with local communities or to find purpose leaving afflicted individuals high and dry, reluctant or unable to seek help. Three […]
