2017 Edition

Background

The Swiss Confederation was founded in 1291 as a defensive alliance among three cantons. In succeeding years, other localities joined the original three. The Swiss Confederation secured its independence from the Holy Roman Empire in 1499. A constitution of 1848, subsequently modified in 1874, replaced the confederation with a centralized federal government. Switzerland's sovereignty and neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers, and the country was not involved in either of the two world wars. The political and economic integration of Europe over the past half century, as well as Switzerland's role in many UN and international organizations, has strengthened Switzerland's ties with its neighbors. However, the country did not officially become a UN member until 2002. Switzerland remains active in many UN and international organizations but retains a strong commitment to neutrality.

Area

41,277 sq km 39,997 sq km 1,280 sq km

land

39,997 sq km

total

41,277 sq km

water

1,280 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey

Climate

temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation

1,350 m lowest point: Lake Maggiore 195 m highest point: Dufourspitze 4,634 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Lake Maggiore 195 m

highest point

Dufourspitze 4,634 m

mean elevation

1,350 m

Environment - current issues

air pollution from vehicle emissions and open-air burning; acid rain; water pollution from increased use of agricultural fertilizers; loss of biodiversity

Environment - international agreements

Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling Law of the Sea

party to

Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

Law of the Sea

Geographic coordinates

47 00 N, 8 00 E

Geography - note

landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe; along with southeastern France, northern Italy, and southwestern Austria, has the highest elevations in the Alps

Irrigated land

630 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

1,770 km Austria 158 km, France 525 km, Italy 698 km, Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 348 km

border countries (5)

Austria 158 km, France 525 km, Italy 698 km, Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 348 km

total

1,770 km

Land use

38.7% arable land 10.2%; permanent crops 0.6%; permanent pasture 27.9% 31.5% 29.8% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

38.7%

forest

31.5%

other

29.8% (2011 est.)

Location

Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

avalanches, landslides; flash floods

Natural resources

hydropower potential, timber, salt

Population - distribution

population distribution corresponds to elevation with the northern and western areas far more heavily populated; the higher Alps of the south limit settlement

Terrain

mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes

Age structure

15.16% (male 642,814/female 605,689) 10.88% (male 458,044/female 438,373) 43.21% (male 1,784,051/female 1,774,494) 12.6% (male 519,709/female 518,421) 18.15% (male 658,673/female 836,035) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

15.16% (male 642,814/female 605,689)

15-24 years

10.88% (male 458,044/female 438,373)

25-54 years

43.21% (male 1,784,051/female 1,774,494)

55-64 years

12.6% (male 519,709/female 518,421)

65 years and over

18.15% (male 658,673/female 836,035) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

10.5 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

72.9% (2012)

Death rate

8.3 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

48.8 26.8 3.7 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

26.8

potential support ratio

3.7 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

48.8

youth dependency ratio

22

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

rural

0% of population

total

0% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0% of population

Education expenditures

5.1% of GDP (2013)

Ethnic groups

German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%, other 6%

Health expenditures

11.7% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

5 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

3.6 deaths/1,000 live births 4 deaths/1,000 live births 3.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

3.2 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

4 deaths/1,000 live births

total

3.6 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

German (or Swiss German) (official) 63%, French (official) 22.7%, Italian (official) 8.1%, English 4.9%, Portuguese 3.7%, Albanian 3%, Serbo-Croatian 2.4%, Spanish 2.2%, Romansch (official) 0.5%, other 7.1% German, French, Italian, and Romansch are all national and official languages; totals more than 100% because some respondents indicated more than one main language (2015 est.)

note

German, French, Italian, and Romansch are all national and official languages; totals more than 100% because some respondents indicated more than one main language (2015 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

82.6 years 80.3 years 85.1 years (2017 est.)

female

85.1 years (2017 est.)

male

80.3 years

total population

82.6 years

Major urban areas - population

Zurich 1.246 million; BERN (capital) 358,000 (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

5 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

42.4 years 41.4 years 43.4 years (2017 est.)

female

43.4 years (2017 est.)

male

41.4 years

total

42.4 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

30.7 years (2014 est.)

Nationality

Swiss (singular and plural) Swiss

adjective

Swiss

noun

Swiss (singular and plural)

Net migration rate

4.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

19.5% (2016)

Physicians density

4.11 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

Population

8,236,303 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

population distribution corresponds to elevation with the northern and western areas far more heavily populated; the higher Alps of the south limit settlement

Population growth rate

0.69% (2017 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 37.3%, Protestant 24.9%, other Christian 5.8%, Muslim 5.1%, other 1.4%, Jewish 0.2%, none 23.9%, unspecified 1.3% (2015 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 99.9% of population rural: 99.8% of population total: 99.9% of population urban: 0.1% of population rural: 0.2% of population total: 0.1% of population (2015 est.)

rural

0.2% of population

total

0.1% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0.1% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

16 years 16 years 16 years (2014)

female

16 years (2014)

male

16 years

total

16 years

Sex ratio

1.06 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.78 male(s)/female 0.97 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.06 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.04 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.01 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.78 male(s)/female

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

0.97 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.56 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

8.4% 8.7% 8.1% (2016 est.)

female

8.1% (2016 est.)

male

8.7%

total

8.4%

Urbanization

74.1% of total population (2017) 1.1% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.1% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

74.1% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

26 cantons (cantons, singular - canton in French; cantoni, singular - cantone in Italian; Kantone, singular - Kanton in German); Aargau, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Berne/Bern, Fribourg/Freiburg, Geneve, Glarus, Graubuenden/Grigioni/Grischun, Jura, Luzern, Neuchatel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Sankt Gallen, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Valais/Wallis, Vaud, Zug, Zuerich 6 of the cantons - Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Nidwalden, Obwalden - are referred to as half cantons because they elect only one member to the Council of States and, in popular referendums where a majority of popular votes and a majority of cantonal votes are required, these 6 cantons only have a half vote

note

6 of the cantons - Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Nidwalden, Obwalden - are referred to as half cantons because they elect only one member to the Council of States and, in popular referendums where a majority of popular votes and a majority of cantonal votes are required, these 6 cantons only have a half vote

Capital

Bern 46 55 N, 7 28 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

46 55 N, 7 28 E

name

Bern

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of Switzerland yes 12 years including at least 3 of the last 5 years prior to application

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of Switzerland

dual citizenship recognized

yes

residency requirement for naturalization

12 years including at least 3 of the last 5 years prior to application

Constitution

previous 1848, 1874; latest adopted by referendum 18 April 1999, effective 1 January 2000 proposed by the two houses of the Federal Assembly or by petition of at least one million voters (called the "federal popular initiative"); passage of proposals requires majority vote in a referendum; following drafting of an amendment by the Assembly, its passage requires approval by majority vote in a referendum and approval by the majority of cantons; amended many times, last in 2016 (2016)

amendments

proposed by the two houses of the Federal Assembly or by petition of at least one million voters (called the "federal popular initiative"); passage of proposals requires majority vote in a referendum; following drafting of an amendment by the Assembly, its passage requires approval by majority vote in a referendum and approval by the majority of cantons; amended many times, last in 2016 (2016)

history

previous 1848, 1874; latest adopted by referendum 18 April 1999, effective 1 January 2000

Country name

Swiss Confederation Switzerland Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft (German); Confederation Suisse (French); Confederazione Svizzera (Italian); Confederaziun Svizra (Romansh) Schweiz (German); Suisse (French); Svizzera (Italian); Svizra (Romansh) name derives from the canton of Schwyz, one of the founding cantons of the Old Swiss Confederacy that formed in the 14th century

conventional long form

Swiss Confederation

conventional short form

Switzerland

etymology

name derives from the canton of Schwyz, one of the founding cantons of the Old Swiss Confederacy that formed in the 14th century

local long form

Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft (German); Confederation Suisse (French); Confederazione Svizzera (Italian); Confederaziun Svizra (Romansh)

local short form

Schweiz (German); Suisse (French); Svizzera (Italian); Svizra (Romansh)

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Tara Feret ERATH (since 20 January 2017) note - also accredited to Liechtenstein Sulgeneckstrasse 19, CH-3007 Bern use embassy street address [41] (031) 357-70-11 [41] (031) 357-73-20

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Tara Feret ERATH (since 20 January 2017) note - also accredited to Liechtenstein

embassy

Sulgeneckstrasse 19, CH-3007 Bern

FAX

[41] (031) 357-73-20

mailing address

use embassy street address

telephone

[41] (031) 357-70-11

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Martin Werner DAHINDEN (since 18 November 2014) 2900 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 745-7900 [1] (202) 387-2564 Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco

chancery

2900 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Martin Werner DAHINDEN (since 18 November 2014)

consulate(s) general

Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco

FAX

[1] (202) 387-2564

telephone

[1] (202) 745-7900

Executive branch

President of the Swiss Confederation Doris LEUTHARD (since 1 January 2017); Vice President Alain BERSET (since 1 January 2017); note - the Federal Council, which is comprised of 7 federal councillors, constitutes the federal government of Switzerland; council members rotate in a 1-year term as federal president (chief of state and head of government) President of the Swiss Confederation Doris LEUTHARD (since 1 January 2017); Vice President Alain BERSET (since 1 January 2017) Federal Council or Bundesrat (in German), Conseil Federal (in French), Consiglio Federale (in Italian) indirectly elected usually from among its members by the Federal Assembly for a 4-year term president and vice president elected by the Federal Assembly from among members of the Federal Council for a 1-year, non-consecutive term; election last held on 7 December 2016 (next to be held in early December 2017) Doris LEUTHARD elected president; Federal Assembly vote - 188 of 207; Alain BERSET elected vice president

cabinet

Federal Council or Bundesrat (in German), Conseil Federal (in French), Consiglio Federale (in Italian) indirectly elected usually from among its members by the Federal Assembly for a 4-year term

chief of state

President of the Swiss Confederation Doris LEUTHARD (since 1 January 2017); Vice President Alain BERSET (since 1 January 2017); note - the Federal Council, which is comprised of 7 federal councillors, constitutes the federal government of Switzerland; council members rotate in a 1-year term as federal president (chief of state and head of government)

election results

Doris LEUTHARD elected president; Federal Assembly vote - 188 of 207; Alain BERSET elected vice president

elections/appointments

president and vice president elected by the Federal Assembly from among members of the Federal Council for a 1-year, non-consecutive term; election last held on 7 December 2016 (next to be held in early December 2017)

head of government

President of the Swiss Confederation Doris LEUTHARD (since 1 January 2017); Vice President Alain BERSET (since 1 January 2017)

Flag description

red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the center that does not extend to the edges of the flag; various medieval legends purport to describe the origin of the flag; a white cross used as identification for troops of the Swiss Confederation is first attested at the Battle of Laupen (1339)

Government type

federal republic (formally a confederation)

Independence

1 August 1291 (founding of the Swiss Confederation)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA, EITI (implementing country), ESA, FAO, FATF, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMISS, UNMOGIP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch

Federal Supreme Court (consists of 38 judges and 31 substitutes and organized into 5 sections) judges elected by the Federal Assembly for 6-year terms; note - judges are affiliated with political parties and are elected according to linguistic and regional criteria in approximate proportion to the level of party representation in the Federal Assembly Federal Criminal Court (began in 2004); Federal Administrative Court (began in 2007); note - each of Switzerland's 26 cantons has its own courts

highest court(s)

Federal Supreme Court (consists of 38 judges and 31 substitutes and organized into 5 sections)

judge selection and term of office

judges elected by the Federal Assembly for 6-year terms; note - judges are affiliated with political parties and are elected according to linguistic and regional criteria in approximate proportion to the level of party representation in the Federal Assembly

subordinate courts

Federal Criminal Court (began in 2004); Federal Administrative Court (began in 2007); note - each of Switzerland's 26 cantons has its own courts

Legal system

civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts, except for federal decrees of a general obligatory character

Legislative branch

bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung (in German), Assemblee Federale (in French), Assemblea Federale (in Italian) consists of the Council of States or Staenderat (in German), Conseil des Etats (in French), Consiglio degli Stati (in Italian) (46 seats; members in multi-seat constituencies representing cantons and single-seat constituencies representing half cantons directly elected by simple majority vote; members serve 4-year terms) and the National Council or Nationalrat (in German), Conseil National (in French), Consiglio Nazionale (in Italian) (200 seats; 195 members in cantons directly elected by proportional representation vote and 6 in half cantons directly elected by simple majority vote; members serve 4-year terms) Council of States - last held in most cantons on 18 October 2015 (each canton determines when the next election will be held); National Council - last held on 18 October 2015 (next to be held in October 2019) Council of States - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party as of 18 October 2015 - CVP 13, FDP 13, SDP 12, SVP 5, other 3; National Council - percent of vote by party - SVP 29.4%, SPS 18.8%, FDP 16.4%, CVP 11.6%, Green Party 7.1%, GLP 4.6%, BDP 4.1%, other 8.0%; seats by party - SVP 68, SPS 43, FDP 33, CVP 30, Green Party 12, GLP 7, BDP 7

description

bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung (in German), Assemblee Federale (in French), Assemblea Federale (in Italian) consists of the Council of States or Staenderat (in German), Conseil des Etats (in French), Consiglio degli Stati (in Italian) (46 seats; members in multi-seat constituencies representing cantons and single-seat constituencies representing half cantons directly elected by simple majority vote; members serve 4-year terms) and the National Council or Nationalrat (in German), Conseil National (in French), Consiglio Nazionale (in Italian) (200 seats; 195 members in cantons directly elected by proportional representation vote and 6 in half cantons directly elected by simple majority vote; members serve 4-year terms)

election results

Council of States - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party as of 18 October 2015 - CVP 13, FDP 13, SDP 12, SVP 5, other 3; National Council - percent of vote by party - SVP 29.4%, SPS 18.8%, FDP 16.4%, CVP 11.6%, Green Party 7.1%, GLP 4.6%, BDP 4.1%, other 8.0%; seats by party - SVP 68, SPS 43, FDP 33, CVP 30, Green Party 12, GLP 7, BDP 7

elections

Council of States - last held in most cantons on 18 October 2015 (each canton determines when the next election will be held); National Council - last held on 18 October 2015 (next to be held in October 2019)

National anthem

the Swiss anthem has four names: "Schweizerpsalm" [German] "Cantique Suisse" [French] "Salmo svizzero," [Italian] "Psalm svizzer" [Romansch] (Swiss Psalm) Leonhard WIDMER [German], Charles CHATELANAT [French], Camillo VALSANGIACOMO [Italian], and Flurin CAMATHIAS [Romansch]/Alberik ZWYSSIG unofficially adopted 1961, officially 1981; the anthem has been popular in a number of Swiss cantons since its composition (in German) in 1841; translated into the other three official languages of the country (French, Italian, and Romansch), it is official in each of those languages

lyrics/music

Leonhard WIDMER [German], Charles CHATELANAT [French], Camillo VALSANGIACOMO [Italian], and Flurin CAMATHIAS [Romansch]/Alberik ZWYSSIG

note

unofficially adopted 1961, officially 1981; the anthem has been popular in a number of Swiss cantons since its composition (in German) in 1841; translated into the other three official languages of the country (French, Italian, and Romansch), it is official in each of those languages

the Swiss anthem has four names

"Schweizerpsalm" [German] "Cantique Suisse" [French] "Salmo svizzero," [Italian] "Psalm svizzer" [Romansch] (Swiss Psalm)

National holiday

Founding of the Swiss Confederation in 1291; note - since 1 August 1891 celebrated as Swiss National Day

National symbol(s)

Swiss cross (white cross on red field, arms equal length); national colors: red, white

Swiss cross (white cross on red field, arms equal length); national colors

red, white

Political parties and leaders

Christian Democratic People's Party (Christlichdemokratische Volkspartei der Schweiz or CVP, Parti Democrate-Chretien Suisse or PDC, Partito Popolare Democratico Svizzero or PPD, Partida Cristiandemocratica dalla Svizra or PCD) [Gerhard PFISTER] Conservative Democratic Party (Buergerlich-Demokratische Partei Schweiz or BDP, Parti Bourgeois Democratique Suisse or PBD, Partito Borghese Democratico Svizzero or PBD, Partido burgais democratica Svizera or PBD) [Martin LANDOLT] Free Democratic Party or FDP.The Liberals (FDP.Die Liberalen, PLR.Les Liberaux-Radicaux, PLR.I Liberali, Ils Liberals) [Petra GOESSI] Green Liberal Party (Grunliberale or GLP, Parti vert liberale or PVL, Partito Verde-Liberale or PVL, Partida Verde Liberale or PVL) [Jurge GROSSEN] Green Party (Gruene Partei der Schweiz or Gruene, Parti Ecologiste Suisse or Les Verts, Partito Ecologista Svizzero or I Verdi, Partida Ecologica Svizra or La Verda) [Regula RYTZ] Social Democratic Party (Sozialdemokratische Partei der Schweiz or SPS, Parti Socialiste Suisse or PSS, Partito Socialista Svizzero or PSS, Partida Socialdemocratica de la Svizra or PSS) [Christian LEVRAT] Swiss People's Party (Schweizerische Volkspartei or SVP, Union Democratique du Centre or UDC, Unione Democratica di Centro or UDC, Uniun Democratica dal Center or UDC) [Albert ROESTI] other minor parties

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

grains, fruits, vegetables; meat, eggs, dairy products

Budget

$230.4 billion $226 billion includes federal, cantonal, and municipal budgets (2016 est.)

expenditures

$226 billion

note

includes federal, cantonal, and municipal budgets (2016 est.)

revenues

$230.4 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

0.7% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

0.5% (31 December 2016) 0.75% (31 December 2009)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

2.65% (31 December 2016 est.) 2.68% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$70.54 billion (2016 est.) $77.38 billion (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$1.664 trillion (31 March 2016 est.) $1.663 trillion (31 March 2015 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

29.5 (2014 est.) 33.1 (1992)

Economy - overview

Switzerland, a country that espouses neutrality, is a prosperous and modern market economy with low unemployment, a highly skilled labor force, and a per capita GDP among the highest in the world. Switzerland's economy benefits from a highly developed service sector, led by financial services, and a manufacturing industry that specializes in high-technology, knowledge-based production. Its economic and political stability, transparent legal system, exceptional infrastructure, efficient capital markets, and low corporate tax rates also make Switzerland one of the world's most competitive economies. The Swiss have brought their economic practices largely into conformity with the EU's to enhance their international competitiveness, but some trade protectionism remains, particularly for its small agricultural sector. The fate of the Swiss economy is tightly linked to that of its neighbors in the euro zone, which purchases half of Swiss exports. The global financial crisis of 2008 and resulting economic downturn in 2009 stalled demand for Swiss exports and put Switzerland into a recession. During this period, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) implemented a zero-interest rate policy to boost the economy, as well as to prevent appreciation of the franc, and Switzerland's economy began to recover in 2010. The sovereign debt crises unfolding in neighboring euro-zone countries, however, coupled with ongoing economic instability in Russia and other eastern European economies continue to pose a significant risk to the Swiss economy, driving up demand for the Swiss franc by investors seeking a safe-haven currency. In January 2015, the SNB abandoned the Swiss franc’s peg to the euro, roiling global currency markets and making active SNB intervention a necessary hallmark of present-day Swiss monetary policy. The independent SNB has upheld its zero interest rate policy and conducted major market interventions to prevent further appreciation of the Swiss franc, but parliamentarians have urged it to do more to weaken the currency. The franc's strength has made Swiss exports less competitive and weakened the country's growth outlook; GDP growth fell below 2% per year from 2011-16. In recent years, Switzerland has responded to increasing pressure from neighboring countries and trading partners to reform its banking secrecy laws, by agreeing to conform to OECD regulations on administrative assistance in tax matters, including tax evasion. The Swiss government has also renegotiated its double taxation agreements with numerous countries, including the US, to incorporate OECD standards, and is openly considering the possibility of imposing taxes on bank deposits held by foreigners.

Exchange rates

Swiss francs (CHF) per US dollar - 0.9852 (2016 est.) 0.9852 (2015 est.) 0.9627 (2014 est.) 0.9152 (2013 est.) 0.9377 (2012 est.)

Exports

$318.1 billion (2016 est.) $303.1 billion (2015 est.) trade data exclude trade with Switzerland

note

trade data exclude trade with Switzerland

Exports - commodities

machinery, chemicals, metals, watches, agricultural products

Exports - partners

Germany 14.4%, US 12.1%, UK 10.7%, China 9%, Hong Kong 6.1%, France 5.8%, Italy 4.9%, India 4.8% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

53.9% 11.5% 24.2% -1.7% 65.5% -53.5% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

65.5%

government consumption

11.5%

household consumption

53.9%

imports of goods and services

-53.5% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

24.2%

investment in inventories

-1.7%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

0.7% 25.5% 73.8% (2016 est.)

agriculture

0.7%

industry

25.5%

services

73.8% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$60,400 (2016 est.) $60,200 (2015 est.) $60,200 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

1.4% (2016 est.) 1.2% (2015 est.) 2.5% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$669 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$502.7 billion (2016 est.) $489.6 billion (2015 est.) $478.7 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

33.6% of GDP (2016 est.) 34.5% of GDP (2015 est.) 31.9% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

7.5% 19% (2007)

highest 10%

19% (2007)

lowest 10%

7.5%

Imports

$264.9 billion (2016 est.) $249.5 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery, chemicals, vehicles, metals; agricultural products, textiles

Imports - partners

Germany 19.4%, US 9%, Italy 7.4%, UK 7.1%, UAE 6.2%, France 6.1%, China 4.7% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

2.3% (2016 est.)

Industries

machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments, tourism, banking, insurance, pharmaceuticals

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-0.4% (2016 est.) -1.1% (2015 est.)

Labor force

5.119 million (2016 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

3.3% 19.8% 76.9% (2015)

agriculture

3.3%

industry

19.8%

services

76.9% (2015)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$1.519 trillion (31 December 2015 est.) $1.495 trillion (31 December 2014 est.) $1.541 trillion (31 December 2013 est.)

Population below poverty line

6.6% (2014 est.)

Public debt

32.6% of GDP (2016 est.) 33.4% of GDP (2015 est.) general government gross debt; gross debt consists of all liabilities that require payment or payments of interest and/or principal by the debtor to the creditor at a date or dates in the future; includes debt liabilities in the form of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), currency and deposits, debt securities, loans, insurance, pensions and standardized guarantee schemes, and other accounts payable; all liabilities in the GFSM 2001 system are debt, except for equity and investment fund shares and financial derivatives and employee stock options

note

general government gross debt; gross debt consists of all liabilities that require payment or payments of interest and/or principal by the debtor to the creditor at a date or dates in the future; includes debt liabilities in the form of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), currency and deposits, debt securities, loans, insurance, pensions and standardized guarantee schemes, and other accounts payable; all liabilities in the GFSM 2001 system are debt, except for equity and investment fund shares and financial derivatives and employee stock options

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$679.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $602.7 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.232 trillion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.21 trillion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$1.528 trillion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.51 trillion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$1.217 trillion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.255 trillion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.166 trillion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.142 trillion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$555.7 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $508.2 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

34.9% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

3.3% (2016 est.) 3.2% (2015 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

45 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

319.1 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - imports

58,400 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

58.45 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

30.17 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

2.9% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

61% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

17% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

11.1% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

34.1 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

19.62 million kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

64.06 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

100% (2016)

electrification - total population

100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption

4.639 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2016 est.)

Natural gas - imports

3.484 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - production

25 million cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

NA cu m (1 January 2011 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

217,400 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

8,894 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

166,300 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

63,400 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Broadcast media

the publicly owned radio and TV broadcaster, Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG/SSR), operates 7 national TV networks, 3 broadcasting in German, 2 in Italian, and 2 in French; private commercial TV stations broadcast regionally and locally; TV broadcasts from stations in Germany, Italy, and France are widely available via multi-channel cable and satellite TV services; SRG/SSR operates 17 radio stations that, along with private broadcasters, provide national to local coverage (2015)

Internet country code

.ch

Internet users

7,312,744 89.4% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

89.4% (July 2016 est.)

total

7,312,744

Telephone system

highly developed telecommunications infrastructure with excellent domestic and international services ranked among leading countries for fixed-line teledensity and infrastructure; mobile-cellular subscribership roughly 140 per 100 persons; extensive cable and microwave radio relay networks country code - 41; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean) (2016)

domestic

ranked among leading countries for fixed-line teledensity and infrastructure; mobile-cellular subscribership roughly 140 per 100 persons; extensive cable and microwave radio relay networks

general assessment

highly developed telecommunications infrastructure with excellent domestic and international services

international

country code - 41; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean) (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

4.029 million 49 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

49 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

4.029 million

Telephones - mobile cellular

11,283,400 138 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

138 (July 2016 est.)

total

11,283,400

Airports

63 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

17 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

12

2,438 to 3,047 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

6

over 3,047 m

3

total

40

under 914 m

17 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

23 (2013)

total

23

under 914 m

23 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

HB (2016)

Heliports

2 (2013)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 31, cargo 2, chemical/petroleum tanker 7, container 10 (2017) 127 (Antigua and Barbuda 7, Bahamas 1, Belize 1, Cayman Islands 1, France 5, Germany 2, Hong Kong 5, Italy 13, Liberia 25, Luxembourg 1, Malta 20, Marshall Islands 12, NZ 2, Panama 15, Portugal 3, Russia 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 7, Singapore 3, Spain 1) (2010)

by type

bulk carrier 31, cargo 2, chemical/petroleum tanker 7, container 10

registered in other countries

127 (Antigua and Barbuda 7, Bahamas 1, Belize 1, Cayman Islands 1, France 5, Germany 2, Hong Kong 5, Italy 13, Liberia 25, Luxembourg 1, Malta 20, Marshall Islands 12, NZ 2, Panama 15, Portugal 3, Russia 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 7, Singapore 3, Spain 1) (2010)

total

50

National air transport system

26,843,991 1,322,379,468 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

1,322,379,468 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

26,843,991

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

163

number of registered air carriers

12

Pipelines

gas 1,800 km; oil 94 km; refined products 7 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Basel (Rhine)

river port(s)

Basel (Rhine)

Railways

5,651.5 km 4,424.8 km 1.435-m gauge (3,634.1 km electrified) 2 km 1.200-m gauge (2 km electrified); 1,188.3 km 1.000-m gauge (1,167.3 km electrified); 36.4 km 0.800-m gauge (36.4 km electrified) (2014)

narrow gauge

2 km 1.200-m gauge (2 km electrified); 1,188.3 km 1.000-m gauge (1,167.3 km electrified); 36.4 km 0.800-m gauge (36.4 km electrified) (2014)

standard gauge

4,424.8 km 1.435-m gauge (3,634.1 km electrified)

total

5,651.5 km

Roadways

71,464 km 71,464 km (includes 1,415 of expressways) (2011)

paved

71,464 km (includes 1,415 of expressways) (2011)

total

71,464 km

Waterways

1,292 km (there are 1,227 km of waterways on lakes and rivers for public transport and 65 km on the Rhine River between Basel-Rheinfelden and Schaffhausen-Bodensee for commercial goods transport) (2010)

Military branches

Swiss Armed Forces: Land Forces, Swiss Air Force (Schweizer Luftwaffe) (2013)

Swiss Armed Forces

Land Forces, Swiss Air Force (Schweizer Luftwaffe) (2013)

Military expenditures

0.71% of GDP (2016) 0.67% of GDP (2015) 0.66% of GDP (2014) 0.73% of GDP (2013) 0.69% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

19-26 years of age for male compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary male and female military service; every Swiss male has to serve at least 260 days in the armed forces; conscripts receive 18 weeks of mandatory training, followed by seven 3-week intermittent recalls for training during the next 10 years (2012)

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

a major international financial center vulnerable to the layering and integration stages of money laundering; despite significant legislation and reporting requirements, secrecy rules persist and nonresidents are permitted to conduct business through offshore entities and various intermediaries; transit country for and consumer of South American cocaine, Southwest Asian heroin, and Western European synthetics; domestic cannabis cultivation and limited ecstasy production

Refugees and internally displaced persons

26,264 (Eritrea); 11,159 (Syria); 5,675 (Afghanistan); 5,458 (Sri Lanka) (2016) 66 (2016)

refugees (country of origin)

26,264 (Eritrea); 11,159 (Syria); 5,675 (Afghanistan); 5,458 (Sri Lanka) (2016)

stateless persons

66 (2016)