As the prices of the fossil fuels used to produce electricity rise so must the price of electricity. According to the Association of Swiss Electricity Companies (AES), record market prices mean that a majority of electrical supply companies will have to charge their customers higher prices in 2023. A survey run by the Association at […]
Federal government aims to make Swiss childcare cheaper
Switzerland has the world’s fourth most expensive childcare according to UNICEF. The federal government is working on a package of financial subsidies costing CHF 530 million a year to reduce the cost to parents, reported RTS. A 2021 UNCEF study of childcare in rich nations ranks Switzerland as having the fourth most unaffordable childcare, a […]
Health premiums to rise 5% says Swiss price comparison website
According to the price comparison website Comparis.ch obligatory Swiss health insurance premiums are set to rise by an average of 5% in 2023, in some cases as much as 10%. Key drivers of the rise are the impact of the pandemic and pressure by the federal government on insurance companies to refund reserves to policy […]
Swiss government concludes discussions on cutting social welfare for foreigners
As part of a revision of the rules related to foreigners in Switzerland the federal government has concluded discussions around cutting welfare entitlements for nationals from much of the world, reported the newspaper Le Matin. Discussions on restricting the welfare paid to some foreigners, which have been going on for some time, concluded on 3 […]
Recent price rises only the beginning, says Swiss consumer association
Food, energy and housing costs are rising in Switzerland and consumers are beginning to change their spending habits. So far inflation in Switzerland has been moderate with annual inflation of 2.5%. However, according to FRC, a consumer association in French-speaking Switzerland, recent price rises are only the beginning, reported RTS. The biggest driver of Swiss […]
Swiss consumer sentiment drops sharply in April
A survey published on 2 May 2022 shows a marked weakening of consumer sentiment in April in Switzerland. Consumers’ outlook for the general economic situation has turned far more pessimistic, said Switzerland’s State Secretariat of Economic Affairs (SECO). In April 2022, the consumer sentiment index plunged to -27, well below the long-term average of −5, […]
Swiss unions call for compensation for public holidays that fall on weekends
Last year, Christmas and Swiss national day (1 August) fell on weekends. Switzerland’s unions are calling for compensation for these “lost” holidays, reports the newspaper 20 Minutes. In Switzerland, when public holidays fall on weekends no extra day off or extra pay is provided by employers. Swiss unions are calling for these missed holidays to […]
Electric bike theft jumps in Switzerland (and locking tips)
Recently published Federal Statistical Office (FSO) figures show a sharp jump in the number of electric bicycles stolen in Switzerland. In 2021, 8,919 electric bikes were stolen in Switzerland, 47% more than in 2020. At the same time the number of regular bicycles thefts fell by 11%, reflecting in part the shift away from regular […]
Tips for cutting energy bills
As the prices of fossil fuels skyrocket and further supply and price uncertainty looms, many are seeking ways to cut the amount they spend on home energy. A publication by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) shows where savings can be made. Recent rises in the prices of fossil fuels highlight the paradox at […]
Average annual healthcare costs hit 9,600 francs in Switzerland in 2020
Statistics published on 26 April 2022 show health expenditure in Switzerland rose to CHF 9,648 (US$ 10,8001) per person in 2020, making Switzerland (probably) the second biggest per-capita healthcare spender in the world – the OECD has not yet published 2020 expenditure for the US, which is typically the world’s highest spender. Healthcare spending rose […]
