| variable | 1980-1989 | 1990-1999 | 2000-2007 | 2008-2009 | 2010-2019 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| real gdp growth | 2.25 | 1.14 | 2.23 | 0.6 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| CPI % | 3.41 | 1.96 | 1.05 | 0.1 | -0.11 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.5 |
| Unemployment rate | 0.7 | 3.53 | 3.04 | 3.6 | 2.95 | 2.0 | 2.4 | 2.8 | 3.0 | 2.9 |
| Debt/GDP % | 32.8 | 47.54 | 51.34 | 41.55 | 40.85 | 37.3 | 40.5 | 39.4 | 38.5 | 37.5 |
| Current account balance/GDP % | 3.02 | 6.67 | 8.99 | 9.75 | 6.55 | 5.8 | 8.9 | 7.1 | 6.8 | 7.1 |
Data derived from World Economic Outlook Database. To see main macroeconomic indicator in graphs click here
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, which was modified in 1874 to allow voters to introduce referenda on proposed laws, replaced the confederation with a centralized federal government. The major European powers have long honored Switzerland's sovereignty and neutrality, and the country was not involved in either World War. 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 km2
Climate: temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers
Natural resources: hydropower potential, timber, salt
Groups: Swiss 69.2%, German 4.2%, Italian 3.2%, Portuguese 2.5%, French 2.1%, Kosovan 1.1%, Turkish 1%, other 16.7% (2020 est.)
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.)
Religions: Roman Catholic 34.4%, Protestant 22.5%, other Christian 5.7%, Muslim 5.4%, other 1.5%, none 29.4%, unspecified 1.1% (2020 est.)
Capital: Bern
Government type: federal republic (formally a confederation)
Chief of state: President of the Swiss Confederation Guy PARMELIN (since 1 January 2026)
Head of government: President of the Swiss Confederation Guy PARMELIN (since 1 January 2026)
Description: Federal Assembly (Bundesversammlung - Assemblée fédérale - Assemblea federale) - bicameral
high-income, non-EU European economy; top ten in GDP per capita; renowned banking and financial hub; low unemployment and inflation; slowed GDP growth post-pandemic; highly skilled but aging workforce; key pharmaceutical and precision manufacturing exporter; leader in innovation and competitiveness indices
machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments, tourism, banking, insurance, pharmaceuticals
GDP by sector: Agriculture: 0.6% (2024 est.), Industry: 24.7% (2024 est.), Services: 72% (2024 est.)
Export partners: Germany 14%, China 12%, USA 11%, Italy 5%, Turkey 5% (2023)
Export commodities: gold, packaged medicine, vaccines, nitrogen compounds, base metal watches (2023)
Import partners: Germany 17%, USA 9%, Italy 8%, France 6%, China 5% (2023)
Import commodities: gold, packaged medicine, vaccines, cars, jewelry (2023)
Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy
Military expenditure: 2024: 0.7% of GDP (2024 est.)
Information derived from worldfactbook.io (Lupon Media), open successor to the CIA World Factbook. Data sourced from World Bank, IMF, UN and other international organizations.