Tag Archives: Editor’s Choice

The rate of unemployment in Switzerland in the 4th quarter of 2020 was 4.9%, up from 3.9% in the 4th quarter of 2019. The same figures for the EU were 6.6% (Q4 2109) and 7.5% (Q4 2020). © Sergiomonti | Dreamstime.comUnemployment rates were highest among those aged 15-24 (7.3%) and 25-39 (5.4%). Those aged 40-54 (4.6%) and 55-64 (3.9%) had the lowest rates. The statistics don’t cover workers older than 64. In the 4th quarter of 2020, Swiss nationals (3.9%) fared better than foreigners...

Switzerland’s federal accounts ended 2020 with a record-breaking deficit of CHF 15.8 billion. The deficit was caused by the pandemic. © Marekusz | Dreamstime.comAn unexpected CHF 3.6 billion fall in revenue combined with net CHF 12.5 billion in largely unplanned expenses combined to take the overall result CHF 16.1 billion below the expected positive net result of CHF 0.3 billion to deliver a deficit of CHF 15.8 billion for the year. Pandemic-related expenditure amounted to CHF 14.7...

In 2019, the poverty line in Switzerland was CHF 27,348 (US$ 30,500) for a single person and CHF 47,712 (US$ 53,200) for a couple with two young children. The figures are calculated by SKOS based on the cost of living in Switzerland. People with incomes below these levels in Switzerland are considered to by living in poverty. © Sam Wordley | Dreamstime.comIn 2019, 8.7% of Switzerland’s population was living on less that these amounts, up 0.8 percentage points from 7.9% in 2018. Those...

Every year, Swiss tax payers contribute CHF 5.4 million to the promotion and marketing of Swiss meat. © Tyler Olson | Dreamstime.comThe money is paid to Proviande, a meat industry association, and it is used to promote and market meat produced in Switzerland. For environmentalists, using public funds to promote and advertise an environmentally damaging product makes no sense. Meat production has a large carbon footprint, and average meat consumption in Switzerland, at around 50 kg per...

Statistics published at the end of January 2021 show a fall in the percentage of the population included in the definition of middle class in Switzerland. © Rawpixelimages | Dreamstime.comMiddle class includes everyone belonging to a household with a gross income of between 70% and 150% of the median, according to a definition by Switzerland’s Federal Statistical Office. In 2018, single-person households with gross monthly incomes of between CHF 4,094 and CHF 8,773 and families of two...

Statistics published at the end of January 2021 show a fall in the percentage of the population included in the definition of middle class in Switzerland. © Rawpixelimages | Dreamstime.com Middle class includes everyone belonging to a household with a gross income of between 70% and 150% of the median, according to a definition by Switzerland’s Federal Statistical Office. In 2018, single-person households with gross monthly incomes of between CHF 4,094 and CHF 8,773...

© Tea | Dreamstime.com From Monday 8 February 2021, many people entering Switzerland require a negative PCR test. Currently, there are restrictions on who can enter Switzerland. Generally, only those with a Swiss passport, a valid Swiss residence or cross-border permit, and those who are citizens of an EU or EFTA nation are allowed to enter Switzerland under the current Covid-19 restrictions. There are a few narrow exemptions. In addition, from 8 February 2021,...

© Michael Müller | Dreamstime.com Since reaching a peak in early November 2020, Covid-19 cases in Switzerland have fallen significantly. The 7-day daily average was 8,238 on 8 November 2020. By 8 February 2021, this figure was down by more than 80% at 1,437. However, according to Martin Ackermann, head of the Swiss National COVID-19 Science Task Force, now is not the time for Switzerland to relax. New faster spreading variants mean the headline case numbers are...

Israel leads the world in the race to vaccinate against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, in what some are calling the world’s leading Covid-19 vaccine experiment. 64 doses of vaccine per 100 people have been administered there, far more than in any other nation. Israel’s strategy has focused on protecting the most vulnerable first. By 6 February 2021, 80% of the population over 60 had been vaccinated, compared to less than half that percentage among those under 60 – see chart...

On 1 July 2019, the EU withdrew stock market equivalence for equity securities listed on the Swiss stock exchange. Since then it has not been possible to trade Swiss-listed shares in the EU. © Liskonogaleksey | Dreamstime.comThe loss of EU financial market equivalence occurred while Switzerland was haggling with Brussels over a framework agreement aimed at replacing Switzerland’s patchwork of bilateral agreements with the EU, which cover matter such as trade and migration. On 1 July...