This week, against the backdrop of war in Ukraine, Switzerland’s federal government set out a number of options for the reform of Switzerland’s military service. By 2024, the government aims to have a reform plan, which might extend compulsory service to women. Work on the project began long before the war in Ukraine. A key […]
The people who moved in Switzerland in 2020
During 2020, 10.3% of Switzerland’s population moved. The average distance moved was 12.5 km. However, the likelihood of movement and the distance moved varied significantly by age and nationality. People in the age band between 20 and 40 were the most likely to move. There was also a small bump in numbers between the ages […]
Over 16,000 Swiss households ready to accommodate Ukrainian refugees
This week, RTS reported that there were more than 16,000 Swiss households extending offers of accommodation to Ukrainian refugees. The number equates to around 40,000 beds. A number of Ukrainian refugees have already arrived in Switzerland, reported the broadcaster. 1,314 were reported to be housed in federal refugee centres where there are around 5,000 available […]
Oligarchs hit with sanctions in Switzerland
An investigation by Swiss broadcaster RTS shows that many of the Russian oligarchs with close relations to Switzerland had not been hit by sanctions earlier in the week. However, some have since been added to Switzerland’s official sanction list. A number of well-known Russian oligarchs live in Switzerland, who are among the nation’s wealthiest residents. […]
Swiss supermarket stops printing receipts
From Tuesday, 1 March 2022, Swiss supermarket Coop stopped automatically printing customer receipts. From now on anyone wanting a receipt will need to ask for one. This policy will apply to automatic and staffed tills, said the company. Already tested on self-service check out terminals, the company expects the move to save 400 tonnes of […]
Chart of the week: Swiss retirement age compared
Switzerland’s retirement age of 65 for men and 64 for women puts its state pensioners in the youngest half of OECD retirees. This week, when a Swiss parliamentarian asked in which direction pension reform was heading, he received a written response that said the state pension system could be stabilised from 2030 with a rise […]
Young Swiss smoking less and drinking more
A new study of Switzerland’s young people shows how views and habits have changed among this group over 10 years. Overall, 19 year old Swiss smoke less, do less sport and consume more alcohol than they did 10 years ago. In addition, the vast majority reported being generally satisfied with life. Around three quarters said […]
Swiss inflation jumps sharply in February
The high inflation across the world is rippling as far as Switzerland. During the month of February 2022, Swiss prices rose 0.7%. Compared to the same month in 2021, prices were 2.2% higher, making this the highest price increase in two decades. The 0.66% monthly consumer price rise in February represents an annualised rate of […]
Seven Swiss cantons do not have bomb shelter space for everyone
In Switzerland, every resident must have a place in an atomic bomb shelter within a 30 minute walk of their home. The distance is extended to a 60 minute walk in mountain regions. However, the rules on atomic shelters have not been followed in a number of cantons and municipalities, reports RTS. According to the […]
Switzerland adopts EU sanctions against Russia
On 28 February 2022, Switzerland’s Federal Council announced that the neutral nation would adopt the packages of sanctions against Russia imposed by the EU on 23 and 25 February 2022 in view of Russia’s continuing military intervention in Ukraine. The assets of the individuals and companies listed are frozen with immediate effect, said the federal […]
