About Your Privacy

The Robert Schuman Fundation uses cookies, which are necessary for the operation and security of the site.

In addition, the Fundation collects anonymous user data for statistical analysis.

See ou Cookie Management Policy

> Our information files > Country Sheet : Switzerland

Country Sheet : Switzerland

Information file

Last Update on 3rd July 2024

Image de la carte du pays
pdf du pays

SWITZERLAND

PDF

In English - version of 3rd July 2024

Geography

Area : 41,277 km²

Borders : 1,852 km (Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km, Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km)

Coastline : 197 km

Capital : Bern

Official language : German, Italian, French, Romansh

Source : The CIA World Factbook

Flag

Image Drapeau

Population

Population : 8,815,385 (2023)

Crude natural change rate : 0.9‰ (2022)

Population repartition: 15.1% under 15 years old, 19.2% over 65 years old (2023)

Foreign residents: EU nationals 16% , non EU nationals 9% (2021)

Crude net migration rate: 4.5‰ (2023 est.)

First time asylum applicants: 30,110 (2023)

Life expectancy: men 82.3 years, women 85.9 years (2023)

Religions: Catholics 34.4%, Protestants 22.5%, other Christians 5.7%, Muslims 5.5%, others 1.6%, none 29.5%, unspecified 0.8% (est. 2019)

Ethnic groups: Swiss 69.3%, German 4.2%, Italians 3.2%, French 2.1%, others 16.6% (est. 2019)

Source : Eurostat, CIA World Factbook

Economy

Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF) (exchange rate in July 2024 € 1 = 0.97 CHF)

GDP: € 818,182.9 million (2023)

GDP per capita (PPS): € 63,490 million (2023)

GDP growth : 0.7% (2023)

Inflation: 1.5% (May 2024)

Public debt: 39.2% (Q4 2023)

Unemployment: 4.1% (March 2024)

Public deficit: 41.4% (December 2022)

Stock of foreign direct investment from the entire world: 147% of the GDP (2021) Sources: Eurostat, IMF, OECD

Performance sectors: finance, insurance, tourism, mechanics, electronics, clock-making, medical technology, fine chemistry, drugs, machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments

Budget balance: 0.5% (Q4 2023)

Source : Eurostat, FMI, OCDE, Trading Economics

Political system

Confederation (Federal Constitution of 18th April 1999)

President Viola Amherd (Centre) was elected President of the Confederation on 13th December 2023 and took office on 1st January 2024.

Vice-Presidente Karin Keller-Sutter (Liberal Radical Party)

Political representation

Political Representation Composition of the Federal Assembly (on 1st December 2023): Council of States

  • 15 seats The Centre
  • 11 seats Liberal Radical Party (PLR)
  • 9 seats Socialist Party (PS)
  • 6 seats Democratic Union of the Centre (UDC)
  • 3 seats Green Party (PES)
  • 1 seat Vert'libéraux (PVL)
  • 1 seat Geneva Citizens' Movement (MCG)

National Council

  • 62 seats Democratic Union of the Centre (UDC)
  • 41 seats Socialist Party (PS)
  • 29 seats The Centre
  • 28 seats Liberal Radical Party (PLR)
  • 23 seats The Green Party (PES)
  • 10 seats Vert'libéraux (PVL)
  • 2 seats Federal Democratic Union of Switzerland (UDF)
  • 2 seats Evangelical People's Party of Switzerland (PEV)
  • 2 seats Geneva Citizens' Movement

Women's representations

  • In the Federal Council: 3/7
  • In the Council of States: 16/46
  • In the National Council: 77/200

Next Elections:

  • Federal in October 2027

    • SWITZERLAND

    PDF |

    In English - version of 3rd July 2024