At the end of September 2022, Switzerland had a population of 8,935,000. Given recent levels of population growth, its population is set to surpass 9 million, claimed the newspaper SonntagsZeitung, reported RTS. Switzerland’s rapid population growth is driven by immigration. On 1 June 2002, the free movement of people between Switzerland and the EU came […]
Cantonal and municipal tax burden to fall in 18 of 26 cantons in 2023
The percentage of economic output demanded by the tax authorities, sometimes referred to as the misery index, is set to fall in 18 of Switzerland’s 26 cantons in 2023, according to data published by the government this week. In 2023, the misery index will fall most in the cantons of Basel-City (-1.9 percentage points), Schaffhausen […]
Swiss Federal Council’s theme and photo for 2023
Every year, Switzerland’s Federal Council publishes a photograph reflecting the theme for the year. This year’s theme is working well together despite differing points of view. Federal Councillor Alain Berset, this year’s president, wants the picture taken by Vaud photographer Matthieu Gafsou to show that the members of the Federal Council can work well together […]
Swiss inflation turns negative in December 2022
Over the month of December 2022, Switzerland’s consumer price index (CPI) fell by 0.2%, bringing the annual inflation rate for 2022 to +2.8%, according to Switzerland’s Federal Statistical Office (FSO). The modest deflation during December 2022 was driven by several factors including falling prices for fuels and heating oil. The prices for fruiting vegetables also […]
One in 20 jobs unfilled in Switzerland
As the end of 2022 approached, there were more than 250,000 unfilled jobs registered in Switzerland, equivalent to nearly one in every 20 jobs1. Out of the 264,069 vacancies recorded, nurses, electricians and managers were the most sought after employees, reported SRF. Together these three categories made up 10% of vacancies. On 15 November 2022, […]
More than a third of asylum seekers arriving in Switzerland from Afghanistan
As the Taliban tightens its grip on life in Afghanistan more Afghans feel the need to leave. Of the 3.568 asylum applications made in Switzerland in November 2022, 1,266 (35%) were made by Afghans, according to the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM). Nearly all of those arriving from Afghanistan are young males. Women, who have […]
Switzerland increases global food aid by 14.5 million
On 28 December 2022, Switzerland pledged an additional CHF 14.5 million to the UN World Food Programme (WPF), announced the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). Around 350 million people worldwide are currently affected by acute hunger and dependent on food aid. In response to the worsening food crisis, President of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio […]
Swiss gas consumption down nearly 30% in November
Switzerland consumed significantly less gas in November 2022, according to the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE). In November 2022, Switzerland imported 3084 giga watt hours of gas, 29% less than the monthly November average of the prior five years, reported RTS. October 2022 saw a similar year on year decline (-40%). However, despite lower […]
Financial pessimism in Switzerland worst in 6 years
A survey published on 27 December 2022 shows Swiss consumer sentiment is at its lowest since 2017. More than one in four of those surveyed expects their financial situation to deteriorate. Rises in health insurance premiums and energy costs were cited as the main reasons for financial pessimism by the 27.5% of people expecting their […]
Rules on Swiss wills to change in 2023
In Switzerland, limits are placed on what people can put into a will. Currently, a minimum of a quarter of a person’s assets must be left to a surviving spouse and at least 3/8ths to any children or their descendants. Someone in Switzerland dying without a will before 31 December 2022 will have their assets […]
