CapitalBern
Population8,925,741
Area41,277 km²
GDP per capita$82,000
LanguagesGerman, French, Italian, English, Portuguese, Albanian, Serbo-Croatian, Spanish, Romansh, other
CurrencySwiss francs
Life Expectancy83.9 yr
Governmentfederal republic (officially a confederation).
Introduction
Background
Founded in 1291, the Swiss Confederation originated as a defensive coalition of three cantons. Over time, additional regions joined the initial trio. The Confederation achieved independence from the Holy Roman Empire in 1499. In 1848, a constitution was established, which was later amended in 1874 to enable voters to propose referenda on legislative matters, transitioning from a confederation to a centralized federal government. Switzerland's sovereignty and neutral stance have been respected by major European powers for centuries, and the nation remained uninvolved in both World Wars. The political and economic integration of Europe over the last fifty years, along with Switzerland's participation in numerous UN and international organizations, has enhanced its relationships with neighboring countries. Nevertheless, Switzerland did not officially join the UN until 2002. The country continues to engage actively in various UN and international entities while upholding a strong commitment to neutrality.
Geography
Area
land
39,997 sq km
water
1,280 sq km
total
41,277 sq km
Climate
The climate is temperate, though it changes with elevation; winters are cold, often cloudy, and marked by rain or snow, while summers are cool to warm, typically cloudy and humid, featuring occasional rainfall.
Terrain
The landscape is predominantly mountainous, with the Alps to the south and the Jura range in the northwest, interspersed with a central plateau consisting of rolling hills, plains, and significant lakes.
Land use
other
32.6% (2023 est.)
forest
32% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
37.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 10% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 27.1% (2023 est.)
Location
Located in Central Europe, it lies to the east of France and north of Italy.
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Elevation
lowest point
Lake Maggiore 195 m
highest point
Dufourspitze on Monte Rosa 4,634 m
mean elevation
1,350 m
Irrigated land
494 sq km (2020)
Map references
Europe
Land boundaries
total
1,770 km
border countries
Austria has a border of 158 km; France 525 km; Italy 698 km; Liechtenstein 41 km; Germany 348 km.
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Natural hazards
Natural hazards include avalanches, landslides, and flash floods.
Geography - note
It is a landlocked nation situated at the intersection of northern and southern Europe; it shares some of the highest peaks in the Alps with southeastern France, northern Italy, and southwestern Austria.
Natural resources
The country has potential for hydropower, timber resources, and salt production.
Area - comparative
Its area is slightly less than twice that of New Jersey.
Geographic coordinates
47 00 N, 8 00 E
Population distribution
The population distribution is influenced by elevation, with the northern and western regions being significantly more populated; settlement in the higher Alps to the south is limited.
Major lakes (area sq km)
fresh water lake(s)
Lake Constance, which it shares with Germany and Austria, spans 540 sq km; Lake Geneva, shared with France, covers 580 sq km.
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage
The Rhine-Maas river basin measures 198,735 sq km, (Black Sea) the Danube basin is 795,656 sq km, (Adriatic Sea) the Po basin reaches 76,997 sq km, and (Mediterranean Sea) the Rhone basin is 100,543 sq km.
Major rivers (by length in km)
The source of the Rhein (Rhine) river is shared with Germany, France, and the Netherlands, measuring 1,233 km
note: [s] indicates river source; [m] indicates river mouth.
People & Society
Languages
Languages
German (or Swiss German) (official) 62.1%, French (official) 22.8%, Italian (official) 8%, English 5.7%, Portuguese 3.5%, Albanian 3.3%, Serbo-Croatian 2.3%, Spanish 2.3%, Romansh (official) 0.5%, other 7.9% (2019 est.)
major-language sample(s)
Das World Factbook, die unverzichtbare Quelle für grundlegende Informationen. (German)
The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French)
L'Almanacco dei fatti del mondo, l'indispensabile fonte per le informazioni di base. (Italian)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions
Roman Catholic 34.4%, Protestant 22.5%, other Christian 5.7%, Muslim 5.4%, other 1.5%, none 29.4%, unspecified 1.1% (estimated for 2020)
Sex ratio
at birth
1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years
1.02 male(s)/female
total population
0.99 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.85 male(s)/female
Birth rate
10.01 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
8.61 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
43.5 years
total
44.4 years (2025 est.)
female
44.9 years
Population
male
4,436,858
total
8,925,741 (2025 est.)
female
4,488,883
Nationality
noun
Swiss (singular and plural)
adjective
Swiss
Tobacco use
male
25.5% (2025 est.)
total
22.8% (2025 est.)
female
20.1% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
74.2% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0.79% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
15.1% (male 685,221/female 650,802)
15-64 years
64.6% (male 2,887,767/female 2,834,842)
65 years and over
20.3% (2024 est.) (male 830,117/female 971,825)
Ethnic groups
Swiss 69.2%, German 4.2%, Italian 3.2%, Portuguese 2.5%, French 2.1%, Kosovan 1.1%, Turkish 1%, other 16.7% (estimated for 2020)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
55.8 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
23.5 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
3.1 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
32.3 (2025 est.)
Physician density
4.48 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
11.8% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
12.4% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
5.79 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density
4.4 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
Total fertility rate
1.59 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: rural
rural: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
4.9% of GDP (2022 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
15.4% national budget (2022 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
3.4 deaths/1,000 live births
total
3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
2.5 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
0.72% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
0.78 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
the distribution of the population is influenced by elevation, with a significantly denser population in the northern and western regions; higher elevations in the southern Alps restrict habitation
Life expectancy at birth
male
82 years
female
85.8 years
total population
83.9 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
5 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: rural
rural: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 100% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
3.17 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
4.35 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
9.41 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits
1.76 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols
0.12 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Major urban areas - population
1.432 million Zurich, 441,000 BERN (capital) (2023)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
19.5% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth
31.1 years (2020 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
57.5% (2022 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male
17 years (2023 est.)
total
17 years (2023 est.)
female
17 years (2023 est.)
Environment
Climate
The climate is temperate, though it fluctuates with altitude; winters are characterized by cold, cloudy, and rainy or snowy conditions, while summers are cool to warm, humid, and often cloudy, with periodic showers.
Land use
other
32.6% (2023 est.)
forest
32% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
37.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 10% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.6% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 27.1% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
74.2% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
0.79% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
6.08 million tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
30.1% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
Air pollution resulting from vehicular emissions; water pollution due to agricultural fertilizers; soil pollution caused by chemical contaminants; soil erosion; and a decline in biodiversity.
Total water withdrawal
municipal
930 million cubic meters (2022)
industrial
642.7 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural
160.1 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
33.306 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas
5.583 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke
195,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
27.528 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
9 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
53.5 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
International environmental agreements
party to
Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Marine Life Conservation, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified
none of the selected agreements
Government
Flag
description: a red square featuring a central white cross with equal arms that does not reach the edges of the flag.
history: the flag's origins remain ambiguous; however, a white cross was utilized to signify the troops of the Swiss Confederation during the Battle of Laupen in 1339.
Capital
name
Bern
etymology
the etymology of the name is not definitively known; it is occasionally linked to the German term Baer (bear), though a more plausible derivation is from an Indo-European root ber, signifying "marshy place."
time difference
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
daylight saving time
+1hr, commencing on the last Sunday of March and concluding on the last Sunday of October.
geographic coordinates
46 55 N, 7 28 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
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
history
previously in 1848 and 1874; most recently adopted via referendum on 18 April 1999, taking effect on 1 January 2000.
amendment process
proposed by either chamber of the Federal Assembly or through a petition signed by at least one hundred thousand voters (termed as the "federal popular initiative"); proposals must gain majority approval in a referendum for passage; after drafting an amendment by the Assembly, its approval requires majority support in a referendum as well as approval from a majority of cantons.
Country name
etymology
the name originates from the canton of Schwyz, one of the founding cantons of the Swiss Confederacy that was established in the late 13th century.
abbreviation
CH
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)
conventional long form
Swiss Confederation
conventional short form
Switzerland
Independence
1 August 1291 (founding of the Swiss Confederation)
Legal system
civil law system; judicial review applies to legislative acts, excluding federal decrees of a generally obligatory nature.
Government type
federal republic (officially a confederation).
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Federal Supreme Court (consists of 38 justices and 19 deputy justices organized into 7 divisions)
subordinate courts
Federal Criminal Court (established in 2004); Federal Administrative Court (established in 2007).
judge selection and term of office
judges are elected by the Federal Assembly for terms of six years; they are politically affiliated and are chosen based on linguistic and regional criteria that reflect party representation in the Federal Assembly.
Executive branch
cabinet
The Federal Council, known as Bundesrat (in German), Conseil Federal (in French), and Consiglio Federale (in Italian), is indirectly elected by the Federal Assembly for a term of four years.
chief of state
President of the Swiss Confederation Guy PARMELIN (since 1 January 2026)
election results
2024: Karin KELLER-SUTTER has been elected president for 2025; Federal Assembly vote - Karin KELLER-SUTTER (FDP.The Liberals) received 168 out of 203 votes; Guy PARLEMIN (SVP) has been elected vice president for 2025; Federal Assembly vote - 196 out of 219.
2023: Viola AMHERD was elected president for 2024; Federal Assembly vote - Viola AMHERD (The Center) received 158 out of 204 votes; Karin KELLER-SUTTER (FDP.The Liberals) was elected vice president for 2024; Federal Assembly vote - 138 out of 196.
2022: Alain BERSET was elected president for 2023; Federal Assembly vote - Alain BERSET (SP) received 140 out of 181 votes; Viola AMHERD was elected vice president; Federal Assembly vote - 207 out of 223.
head of government
President of the Swiss Confederation Guy PARMELIN (since 1 January 2026)
most recent election date
11 December 2024
election/appointment process
the president and vice president are selected by the Federal Assembly from among the members of the Federal Council for a one-year, non-consecutive term.
expected date of next election
December 2025
National holiday
Founding of the Swiss Confederation in 1291
National color(s)
red, white
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
13 (9 cultural, 4 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Old City of Berne (c); Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch (n); Monte San Giorgio (n); Abbey of St Gall (c); Three Castles, Defensive Wall, and Ramparts of the Market-Town of Bellinzona (c); Rhaetian Railway in the Albula/Bernina Landscapes (c); La Chaux-de-Fonds/Le Locle, Watchmaking Town Planning (c); Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps (c); Benedictine Convent of St John at Müstair (c); Lavaux, Vineyard Terraces (c).
Political parties
The Center (Die Mitte, Alleanza del Centro, Le Centre, Allianza dal Center) (merger of the Christian Democratic People's Party and the Conservative Democratic Party)
Evangelical Peoples' Party or EVP/PEV
Federal Democrats or EDU
Geneva Citizens Movement or MCR/MCG
Green Liberal Party (Gruenliberale Partei or GLP, Parti vert liberale or PVL, Partito Verde-Liberale or PVL, Partida Verde Liberale or PVL)
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)
The Liberals or FDP.The Liberals (FDP.Die Liberalen, PLR.Les Liberaux-Radicaux, PLR.I Liberali, Ils Liberals)
Social Democratic Party (Sozialdemokratische Partei der Schweiz or SP, Parti Socialiste Suisse or PSS, Partito Socialista Svizzero or PSS, Partida Socialdemocratica de la Svizra or PSS)
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)
Legislative branch
legislature name
Federal Assembly (Bundesversammlung - Assemblée fédérale - Assemblea federale)
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
the Swiss national anthem is known by four titles: "Schweizerpsalm" [German], "Cantique Suisse" [French], "Salmo svizzero" [Italian], and "Psalm svizzer" [Romansch] (Swiss Psalm).
history
adopted in 1981; all four language versions (German, French, Italian, Romansch) are recognized as official.
lyrics/music
Leonhard WIDMER [German], Charles CHATELANAT [French], Camillo VALSANGIACOMO [Italian], and Flurin CAMATHIAS [Romansch]/Alberik ZWYSSIG.
National symbol(s)
Swiss cross (white cross on red field)
Administrative divisions
Switzerland comprises 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, Genève (Geneva), Glarus, Graubuenden/Grigioni/Grischun, Jura, Luzern (Lucerne), Neuchatel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Sankt Gallen, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Valais/Wallis, Vaud, Zug, Zuerich.
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
National Council (Nationalrat - Conseil national - Consiglio nazionale)
term in office
4 years
number of seats
200 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
10/22/2023
expected date of next election
October 2027
percentage of women in chamber
39.5%
parties elected and seats per party
Swiss People's Party (SVP/UDC) (62); Socialist Party (SP/PS) (41); Centre Party (29); FDP/The Liberals (FDP/PLR) (28); Green Party (GPS/PES) (23); Liberal Green Party (GLP/PVL) (10); Other (7).
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
Council of States (Ständerat - Conseil des Etats - Consiglio degli Stati)
term in office
4 years
number of seats
46 (all directly elected)
electoral system
other systems
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
10/22/2023
expected date of next election
October 2027
percentage of women in chamber
33.3%
parties elected and seats per party
Centre Party (15); FDP/The Liberals (FDP/PLR) (11); Socialist Party (SP/PS) (9); Swiss People's Party (SVP/UDC) (6); Green Party (GPS/PES) (3); Other (2).
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 387-2564
chancery
2900 Cathedral Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 745-7900
consulate(s)
Boston
chief of mission
Ambassador Ralph HECKNER (since 18 September 2024)
consulate(s) general
Atlanta, Chicago, New York, San Francisco
email address and website
[email protected]
https://www.eda.admin.ch/washington
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[41] (031) 357-73-20
embassy
Sulgeneckstrasse 19, CH-3007 Bern
telephone
[41] (031) 357-70-11
mailing address
5110 Bern Place, Washington DC 20521-5110
chief of mission
Ambassador Callista GINGRICH (since 23 October 2025) note - also accredited to Liechtenstein
email address and website
https://ch.usembassy.gov/
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, 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, UNOOSA, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction.
Economy
Budget
revenues
$153.795 billion (2023 est.)
expenditures
$152.488 billion (2023 est.)
Exports
Exports 2022
$628.737 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$654.175 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2024
$675.059 billion (2024 est.)
Imports
Imports 2022
$518.002 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$556.351 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2024
$582.554 billion (2024 est.)
Industries
machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments, tourism, banking, insurance, pharmaceuticals
Labor force
5.153 million (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2023
19.9% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2022
0.4% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
0.4% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2024
0.4% of GDP (2024 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
Swiss francs (CHF) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
0.939 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
0.914 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
0.955 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
0.898 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
0.88 (2024 est.)
Economic overview
a high-income European economy outside the EU; ranked among the top ten in GDP per capita; recognized as a significant banking and financial center; characterized by low unemployment and inflation rates; experienced a slowdown in GDP growth following the pandemic; possesses a highly skilled yet aging workforce; prominent exporter in pharmaceuticals and precision manufacturing; excels in innovation and competitiveness rankings
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
4.2% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
4.1% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
4.2% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
Germany 14%, China 12%, USA 11%, Italy 5%, Turkey 5% (2023)
Imports - partners
Germany 17%, USA 9%, Italy 8%, France 6%, China 5% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$82,800 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$82,300 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$82,000 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
3% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
0.7% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
1.3% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
milk, sugar beets, wheat, potatoes, pork, apples, barley, beef, maize, grapes (2023)
Exports - commodities
gold, packaged medicine, vaccines, nitrogen compounds, base metal watches (2023)
Imports - commodities
gold, packaged medicine, vaccines, cars, jewelry (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2022
$72.325 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023
$47.455 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2024
$47.162 billion (2024 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
9% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$936.564 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
51.1% (2023 est.)
government consumption
11.3% (2023 est.)
investment in inventories
0.2% (2023 est.)
investment in fixed capital
25.8% (2023 est.)
exports of goods and services
73.3% (2023 est.)
imports of goods and services
-62% (2023 est.)
Population below poverty line
15.8% (2021 est.)
Average household expenditures
on food
9% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco
3.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
2.8% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
2.1% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
1.1% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
1.7% (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$726.544 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$731.508 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$741.035 billion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
8.3% (2024 est.)
total
7.9% (2024 est.)
female
7.5% (2024 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022
$923.628 billion (2022 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023
$863.892 billion (2023 est.)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024
$909.366 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
24.7% (2024 est.)
services
72% (2024 est.)
agriculture
0.6% (2024 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
3% (2021 est.)
highest 10%
26.6% (2021 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2021
33.8 (2021 est.)
Energy
Coal
exports
300 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports
156,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption
126,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production
300 bbl/day (2023 est.)
refined petroleum consumption
194,000 bbl/day (2024 est.)
Electricity
exports
33.856 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports
27.462 billion kWh (2023 est.)
consumption
55.643 billion kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
26.502 million kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
4.81 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Natural gas
imports
2.869 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption
2.915 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Nuclear energy
Number of operational nuclear reactors
4 (2025)
Percent of total electricity production
32.4% (2023 est.)
Net capacity of operational nuclear reactors
2.97GW (2025 est.)
Number of nuclear reactors permanently shut down
2 (2025)
Electricity access
electrification - total population
100% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
99.578 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
wind
0.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar
6.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
nuclear
34.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
0.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity
53% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste
4.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
97% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
The publicly owned Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG/SSR) operates 8 national television channels, with 3 broadcasting in German, 3 in French, and 2 in Italian. In addition, private commercial television stations provide regional and local broadcasts. Television broadcasts in German, Italian, and French are widely accessible through multi-channel cable and satellite services. As of 2019, SRG/SSR manages 17 radio stations.
Internet country code
.ch
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
3.003 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
34 (2023 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
11.6 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
129 (2024 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
4.33 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
49 (2023 est.)
Transportation
Airports
66 (2025)
Railways
total
5,296 km (2020) 5,296 km electrified; Switzerland remains the only country with a fully electrified network
Heliports
52 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
17 (2023)
by type
14 bulk carriers, 1 general cargo vessel, and 2 others (which includes Liechtenstein)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
HB
Military & Security
Military - note
The Swiss military is tasked with safeguarding territorial integrity, providing limited assistance for international disaster relief and peacekeeping missions, and supporting civil authorities when their resources fall short in addressing threats to internal security or during disasters. Switzerland has historically upheld a policy of military neutrality but does engage in military and peacekeeping missions under the auspices of the EU, NATO, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and the United Nations (UN) on occasion. Swiss military units are permitted to participate only in operations authorized by either the UN or OSCE. In 1996, Switzerland became a member of NATO’s Partnership for Peace initiative and has been contributing to the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) since 1999 (2025).
Military deployments
200 Kosovo (NATO/KFOR) (2025)
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2020
0.7% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021
0.7% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022
0.7% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023
0.7% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024
0.7% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military and security forces
Swiss Armed Forces (also known as the Swiss Army or Schweizer Armee); includes the Army (also referred to as Land Forces) and the Swiss Air Force (2025).
Military service age and obligation
All Swiss males aged 18 to 30 are required to serve in the military or undertake alternative civilian service, while women may volunteer for service. The mandatory military service lasts for 245 days, comprising 18-21 weeks of basic training typically conducted between the ages of 19 and 25, followed by six three-week refresher training sessions over the subsequent nine years. The system allows conscripts to pursue training as non-commissioned and commissioned officers within the militia, which entails longer service commitments (2026).
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The military's arsenal consists of a combination of domestically manufactured and imported weapon systems from Europe and the United States. The Swiss defense sector produces a variety of military ground vehicles (2025).
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 145,000 Swiss Armed Forces (2024)
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
IDPs
97 (2024 est.)
refugees
213,177 (2024 est.)
stateless persons
1,267 (2024 est.)
