Switzerland’s Federal Council has agreed to loosen restrictions on building outside designated zones, reported RTS. From 2026, the permitted volume of such construction will rise by 2%, a move that has angered environmental groups. Pro Natura, which championed earlier efforts to curb urban sprawl, accused the government of “torpedoing” the latest revision of the Spatial […]
Swiss young adults are leaving home later
Young adults in Switzerland are staying longer in the family home. Half of the population now leaves their parents’ household at an average age of 23.7, almost two years later than previous generations, according to figures published on Monday by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). The study compared people born between 1988 and 2007 with […]
Swiss Rail denies plans to scrap half-fare travelcard
Reports in the German-speaking press on Wednesday morning claimed that Swiss Federal Railways (SBB/CFF) would abolish its half-fare travelcard in 2027. Several French-speaking outlets repeated the story. A few hours later, Alliance SwissPass, which oversees national transport passes, denied it. The confusion began with an article in K-Tipp, a German-language consumer magazine, which said that […]
18-year old arrested before planned terrorist attack in Switzerland
Switzerland’s federal prosecutors say they thwarted a suspected terrorist attack this spring, arresting a radicalised 18-year-old man, according to federal prosecutor, Stefan Blättler, in an interview with SonntagsBlick, that was reported by RTS. The young Swiss-German is being held in pre-trial detention. Motivated by Islamist ideology, his alleged goal was to carry out a knife […]
Vote called against tighter rules on Swiss civil service
Switzerland’s plan to restrict access to civilian service has sparked a referendum campaign, with critics warning that the reform will weaken social cohesion and harm public welfare. An alliance of civil-society groups, placement organisations and left-wing politicians launched the campaign in Bern this week, calling the new law manipulative and counterproductive, reported RTS. The reform, […]
Hiking accidents double in Switzerland over 15 years
The number of mountain-hiking accidents in Switzerland has doubled in the past 15 years, according to new data from Suva, the national accident insurer. Between 2009 and 2013, just over 4,000 incidents were recorded annually. From 2019 to 2023, that figure rose to around 9,000 a year. More than eight in ten accidents involved hikers […]
Swiss Young Socialists launch campaign to tax the rich
Switzerland’s Young Socialists (JS) have launched their campaign for the “Pour l’avenir” (“For the Future”) initiative, arguing that the super-rich should shoulder the costs of combating climate change, reported RTS. The ultra-wealthy are destroying our future with private jets, super-yachts and multi-billion-franc investments that harm the climate, the group said at the campaign’s launch. They […]
Switzerland’s most dangerous jobs
Ensuring workplace safety is a legal obligation in Switzerland, yet accidents remain frequent and costly. A recent report by Suva highlights the country’s most hazardous professions — with forestry topping the list. Loggers face the highest risk of injury. Chainsaws, falling branches, steep terrain and heavy machinery make their work perilous: in 2023, more than […]
Swiss primary-school enrolment set to fall sharply by 2034
Switzerland’s primary schools are expected to see a steep decline in pupil numbers over the coming decade, according to projections from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). The number of primary pupils will begin to fall from 2027, dropping by about 7% between 2025 and 2034. The decline reflects a sharp fall in births since 2022. […]
Swiss school leader calls for social-media ban for minors
Social media should be banned for under-18s, argues the head of Switzerland’s association of German-speaking school principals, reported RTS. Thomas Minder, president of the association, says young people need stronger protection from the addictive pull of online platforms, comparing smartphone dependency to addictions to alcohol and tobacco. Even adults struggle to use these apps responsibly, […]
