Social Aspects

People walking down a busy stairway in a railway station.
Switzerland has a stable labour market and a well-developed health and social security system. © Remo Fröhlicher

Thanks to a stable labour market with low unemployment, Swiss salaries are high by European standards. Almost a third of this income is spent on maintaining a system of health and social services that leaves no one behind.

Switzerland has a stable labour market, low unemployment and a high GDP per capita. Strikes are remarkably rare thanks to a social partnership between employees and employers. 

Although Switzerland's high wages are offset by a high cost of living, the average household manages to save around 10% of its income. On average, the Swiss spend almost one third of their income on social security contributions, taxes and health insurance. 

This pays for high-quality – though expensive – healthcare services and a social insurance system that leaves no one behind.

Social Aspects – Facts and Figures

Switzerland offers its residents a very high level of social security protection. Switzerland also has one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe.

Workforce productivity, BFS

Swiss GDP has risen sharply over the last decade, though productivity growth lags somewhat behind the rest of Europe.

Labour market

The Swiss labour market is renowned for its stability and low unemployment rate.

Household income and expenditure

The cost of living in Switzerland is high compared with the rest of Europe. Nonetheless, the average household manages to save over one-tenth of its income.

Social security

Switzerland benefits from a wide but tightly-meshed social safety net.

Health care system

The Swiss health care system reflects the country's federal structure. Health care costs have risen steadily over the last few years.