World · permanent entity record · SZ
Switzerland
Thirty-second orientation
Switzerland at a glance
- Nationality / demonym
- noun: Swiss (singular and plural); adjective: Swiss
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
- Government
- federal republic (formally a confederation)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
- 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.)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history
Switzerland through time
Admitted to the United Nations
Switzerland became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04
Source history · changed fields only
Changes since the final CIA profile
| Field | Maintained Almanac value | Final CIA profile |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,092,436World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025 | total: 8,925,741 (2025 est.) male: 4,436,858 female: 4,488,883CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-18 |
A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.
World Development Indicators · latest available observation
People, economy, and access
Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.
- Gross domestic product
- $1.04 trillion
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Gross domestic product per person
- $114,769
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Life expectancy at birth
- 84.4 years
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Urban population
- 85.7%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Access to electricity
- 100.0%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- People using the internet
- 97.3%
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.
Maintained profile
- Capital
- Bern
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
- Area
- 41,277 sq km
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
- Population
- 9,092,436
- World Bank, World Development Indicators · World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Source footnote: Extrapolated assuming the same growth rate as previous 6 months. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
- Currency
- Swiss francs (CHF)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
- 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.)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
- Nationality / demonym
- noun: Swiss (singular and plural); adjective: Swiss
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
- Government
- federal republic (formally a confederation)
- CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json ·
- Continent
- Europe
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “Europe.”
- Coastline
- 0 km (landlocked)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Climate
- temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- 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.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Flag colors
- red, white
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
- National symbol
- Swiss cross (white cross on red field)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Highest point
- Dufourspitze on Monte Rosa · 15,203 ft (4,634 m)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- Lowest point
- Lake Maggiore · 640 ft (195 m)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
- NATO membership
- Not a member
- NATO, What is NATO? · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
- BRICS membership
- Not a member
- BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data
Final CIA World Factbook profile
This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.
CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b
Introduction1 fields
- 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, 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.
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Geography20 fields
- Location
- Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Area
- total : 41,277 sq km land: 39,997 sq km water: 1,280 sq km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Area - comparative
- slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land boundaries
- total: 1,770 km border countries (5): Austria 158 km; France 525 km; Italy 698 km; Liechtenstein 41 km; Germany 348 km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Climate
- temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Terrain
- mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Elevation
- highest point: Dufourspitze on Monte Rosa 4,634 m lowest point: Lake Maggiore 195 m mean elevation: 1,350 m
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Natural resources
- hydropower potential, timber, salt
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land use
- agricultural land: 37.8% (2023 est.) arable land: 10% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.6% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 27.1% (2023 est.) forest: 32% (2023 est.) other: 32.6% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Major lakes (area sq km)
- fresh water lake(s): Lake Constance (shared with Germany and Austria) - 540 sq km; Lake Geneva (shared with France) - 580 sq km
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Major rivers (by length in km)
- Rhein (Rhine) river source (shared with Germany, France, and Netherlands [m]) - 1,233 km note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Major watersheds (area sq km)
- Atlantic Ocean drainage: Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km), (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km), (Adriatic Sea) Po (76,997 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Rhone (100,543 sq km)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Natural hazards
- avalanches, landslides; flash floods
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
People and Society33 fields
- Population
- total: 8,925,741 (2025 est.) male: 4,436,858 female: 4,488,883
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Nationality
- noun: Swiss (singular and plural) adjective: Swiss
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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% (2020 est.) note: data represent permanent and non-permanent resident population by country of birth
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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. note: shares sum to more than 100% because respondents could indicate more than one main language
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Dependency ratios
- total dependency ratio: 55.8 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 23.5 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 32.3 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 3.1 (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Median age
- total: 44.4 years (2025 est.) male: 43.5 years female: 44.9 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Birth rate
- 10.01 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Death rate
- 8.61 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Net migration rate
- 5.79 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Urbanization
- urban population: 74.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.79% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Major urban areas - population
- 1.432 million Zurich, 441,000 BERN (capital) (2023)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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 65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female total population: 0.99 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Mother's mean age at first birth
- 31.1 years (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Maternal mortality ratio
- 5 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Infant mortality rate
- total: 3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 3.4 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.5 deaths/1,000 live births
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Life expectancy at birth
- total population: 83.9 years (2024 est.) male: 82 years female: 85.8 years
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total fertility rate
- 1.59 children born/woman (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Drinking water source
- urban: 100% of population (2022 est.) rural: 100% of population (2022 est.) total: 100% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0% of population (2022 est.) rural: 0% of population (2022 est.) total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Health expenditure
- 11.8% of GDP (2021) 12.4% of national budget (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Physician density
- 4.48 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Hospital bed density
- 4.4 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Sanitation facility access
- urban: 100% of population (2022 est.) rural: 100% of population (2022 est.) total: 100% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0% of population (2022 est.) rural: 0% of population (2022 est.) total: 0% of population (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Alcohol consumption per capita
- total: 9.41 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 3.17 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 4.35 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.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Tobacco use
- total: 22.8% (2025 est.) male: 25.5% (2025 est.) female: 20.1% (2025 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Currently married women (ages 15-49)
- 57.5% (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Education expenditure
- 4.9% of GDP (2022 est.) 15.4% national budget (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
- total: 17 years (2023 est.) male: 17 years (2023 est.) female: 17 years (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Environment10 fields
- Environmental issues
- air pollution from vehicle emissions; water pollution from agricultural fertilizers; soil pollution from chemical contaminants; soil erosion; loss of biodiversity
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Climate
- temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Land use
- agricultural land: 37.8% (2023 est.) arable land: 10% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 0.6% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 27.1% (2023 est.) forest: 32% (2023 est.) other: 32.6% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Urbanization
- urban population: 74.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.79% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Carbon dioxide emissions
- 33.306 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.) from consumed natural gas: 5.583 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Particulate matter emissions
- 9 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Waste and recycling
- municipal solid waste generated annually: 6.08 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 30.1% (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Total renewable water resources
- 53.5 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Government25 fields
- Country name
- conventional long form: Swiss Confederation conventional short form: Switzerland 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) abbreviation: CH etymology: name derives from the canton of Schwyz, one of the founding cantons of the Swiss Confederacy formed in the late 13th century
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Government type
- federal republic (formally a confederation)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Capital
- name: Bern geographic coordinates: 46 55 N, 7 28 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October etymology: the origin of the name is uncertain; it is sometimes associated with the German word Baer (bear), but a more likely origin is an Indo-European root word ber, meaning "marshy place"
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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, 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 note 1: the names listed above are in the canton's official language(s), with conventional names in parentheses note 2: 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 (instead of two) to the Council of States, and in popular referendums where a majority of popular votes and cantonal votes are required, these 6 cantons have a half vote
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legal system
- civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts, except federal decrees of a general obligatory character
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Constitution
- history: previous 1848, 1874; latest adopted by referendum 18 April 1999, effective 1 January 2000 amendment process: proposed by the two houses of the Federal Assembly or by petition of at least one hundred thousand 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- International law organization participation
- accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Executive branch
- 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) cabinet: Federal Council or Bundesrat (in German), Conseil Federal (in French), Consiglio Federale (in Italian) indirectly elected by the Federal Assembly for a 4-year term election/appointment process: president and vice president elected by the Federal Assembly from among members of the Federal Council for a 1-year, non-consecutive term most recent election date: 11 December 2024 election results: 2024: Karin KELLER-SUTTER elected president for 2025; Federal Assembly vote - Karin KELLER-SUTTER (FDP.The Liberals) 168 of 203; Guy PARLEMIN (SVP) elected vice president for 2025; Federal Assembly vote - 196 of 219 2023: Viola AMHERD elected president for 2024; Federal Assembly vote - Viola AMHERD (The Center) 158 of 204; Karin KELLER-SUTTER (FDP.The Liberals) elected vice president for 2024; Federal Assembly vote - 138 of 196 2022: Alain BERSET elected president for 2023; Federal Assembly vote - Alain BERSET (SP) 140 OF 181; Viola AMHERD elected vice president; Federal assembly vote - 207 of 223 expected date of next election: December 2025 note: the Federal Council, composed of 7 federal councilors, constitutes the federal government of Switzerland; council members rotate the 1-year term of federal president
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legislative branch
- legislature name: Federal Assembly (Bundesversammlung - Assemblée fédérale - Assemblea federale) legislative structure: bicameral
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legislative branch - lower chamber
- chamber name: National Council (Nationalrat - Conseil national - Consiglio nazionale) number of seats: 200 (all directly elected) electoral system: proportional representation scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 10/22/2023 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) percentage of women in chamber: 39.5% expected date of next election: October 2027
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Legislative branch - upper chamber
- chamber name: Council of States (Ständerat - Conseil des Etats - Consiglio degli Stati) number of seats: 46 (all directly elected) electoral system: other systems scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 10/22/2023 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) percentage of women in chamber: 33.3% expected date of next election: October 2027
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Judicial branch
- highest court(s): Federal Supreme Court (consists of 38 justices and 19 deputy justices organized into 7 divisions) judge selection and term of office: judges elected by the Federal Assembly for 6-year terms; judges are affiliated with political parties and are elected according to linguistic and regional criteria in approximate proportion to party representation in the Federal Assembly subordinate courts: Federal Criminal Court (established in 2004); Federal Administrative Court (established in 2007) note: each of Switzerland's 26 cantons has its own courts
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Diplomatic representation in the US
- chief of mission: Ambassador Ralph HECKNER (since 18 September 2024) chancery: 2900 Cathedral Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 745-7900 FAX: [1] (202) 387-2564 email address and website: washington@eda.admin.ch https://www.eda.admin.ch/washington consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, New York, San Francisco consulate(s): Boston
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Diplomatic representation from the US
- chief of mission: Ambassador Callista GINGRICH (since 23 October 2025) note - also accredited to Liechtenstein embassy: Sulgeneckstrasse 19, CH-3007 Bern mailing address: 5110 Bern Place, Washington DC 20521-5110 telephone: [41] (031) 357-70-11 FAX: [41] (031) 357-73-20 email address and website: https://ch.usembassy.gov/
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Independence
- 1 August 1291 (founding of the Swiss Confederation)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National holiday
- Founding of the Swiss Confederation in 1291 note: celebrated as Swiss National Day since 1 August 1891
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Flag
- description: red square with an equal-armed white cross in the center that does not extend to the edges of the flag history: the origin of the flag is unclear, but a white cross was used to identify Swiss Confederation troops at the Battle of Laupen (1339) note: in 1863, the newly formed International Red Cross chose the inverse of the Swiss flag -- a red cross on a white field -- as its symbol
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National symbol(s)
- Swiss cross (white cross on red field)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- National anthem(s)
- title: the Swiss anthem has four names: "Schweizerpsalm" [German] "Cantique Suisse" [French] "Salmo svizzero," [Italian] "Psalm svizzer" [Romansch] (Swiss Psalm) lyrics/music: Leonhard WIDMER [German], Charles CHATELANAT [French], Camillo VALSANGIACOMO [Italian], and Flurin CAMATHIAS [Romansch]/Alberik ZWYSSIG history: adopted 1981; all four of the versions (German, French, Italian, Romansch) are considered official
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- 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)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Economy31 fields
- Economic overview
- 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
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
- $741.035 billion (2024 est.) $731.508 billion (2023 est.) $726.544 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP growth rate
- 1.3% (2024 est.) 0.7% (2023 est.) 3% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Real GDP per capita
- $82,000 (2024 est.) $82,300 (2023 est.) $82,800 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP (official exchange rate)
- $936.564 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Inflation rate (consumer prices)
- 1.1% (2024 est.) 2.1% (2023 est.) 2.8% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP - composition, by sector of origin
- agriculture: 0.6% (2024 est.) industry: 24.7% (2024 est.) services: 72% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- GDP - composition, by end use
- household consumption: 51.1% (2023 est.) government consumption: 11.3% (2023 est.) investment in fixed capital: 25.8% (2023 est.) investment in inventories: 0.2% (2023 est.) exports of goods and services: 73.3% (2023 est.) imports of goods and services: -62% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Agricultural products
- milk, sugar beets, wheat, potatoes, pork, apples, barley, beef, maize, grapes (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Industries
- machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments, tourism, banking, insurance, pharmaceuticals
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Industrial production growth rate
- 1.7% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Labor force
- 5.153 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Unemployment rate
- 4.2% (2024 est.) 4.1% (2023 est.) 4.2% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
- total: 7.9% (2024 est.) male: 8.3% (2024 est.) female: 7.5% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Population below poverty line
- 15.8% (2021 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
- 33.8 (2021 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Average household expenditures
- on food: 9% of household expenditures (2023 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 3.5% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Household income or consumption by percentage share
- lowest 10%: 3% (2021 est.) highest 10%: 26.6% (2021 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Remittances
- 0.4% of GDP (2024 est.) 0.4% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.4% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Budget
- revenues: $153.795 billion (2023 est.) expenditures: $152.488 billion (2023 est.) note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Public debt
- 19.9% of GDP (2023 est.) note: central government debt as a % of GDP
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Taxes and other revenues
- 9% (of GDP) (2023 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Current account balance
- $47.162 billion (2024 est.) $47.455 billion (2023 est.) $72.325 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports
- $675.059 billion (2024 est.) $654.175 billion (2023 est.) $628.737 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports - partners
- Germany 14%, China 12%, USA 11%, Italy 5%, Turkey 5% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exports - commodities
- gold, packaged medicine, vaccines, nitrogen compounds, base metal watches (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports
- $582.554 billion (2024 est.) $556.351 billion (2023 est.) $518.002 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports - partners
- Germany 17%, USA 9%, Italy 8%, France 6%, China 5% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Imports - commodities
- gold, packaged medicine, vaccines, cars, jewelry (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
- $909.366 billion (2024 est.) $863.892 billion (2023 est.) $923.628 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Exchange rates
- Swiss francs (CHF) per US dollar - 0.88 (2024 est.) 0.898 (2023 est.) 0.955 (2022 est.) 0.914 (2021 est.) 0.939 (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Energy8 fields
- Electricity access
- electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Electricity
- installed generating capacity: 26.502 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 55.643 billion kWh (2023 est.) exports: 33.856 billion kWh (2023 est.) imports: 27.462 billion kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 4.81 billion kWh (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Electricity generation sources
- fossil fuels: 0.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) nuclear: 34.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 6.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 0.3% 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.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Nuclear energy
- Number of operational nuclear reactors: 4 (2025) Net capacity of operational nuclear reactors: 2.97GW (2025 est.) Percent of total electricity production: 32.4% (2023 est.) Number of nuclear reactors permanently shut down: 2 (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Coal
- consumption: 126,000 metric tons (2023 est.) exports: 300 metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 156,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Petroleum
- total petroleum production: 300 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 194,000 bbl/day (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Natural gas
- consumption: 2.915 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) imports: 2.869 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Energy consumption per capita
- 99.578 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Communications6 fields
- Telephones - fixed lines
- total subscriptions: 3.003 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 34 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Telephones - mobile cellular
- total subscriptions: 11.6 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 129 (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Broadcast media
- publicly owned Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG/SSR) has 8 national TV networks, 3 broadcasting in German, 3 in French, and 2 in Italian; private commercial TV stations broadcast regionally and locally; German, Italian, and French TV broadcasts widely available via multi-channel cable and satellite TV; SRG/SSR has 17 radio stations (2019)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Internet users
- percent of population: 97% (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Broadband - fixed subscriptions
- total: 4.33 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 49 (2023 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transportation5 fields
- Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
- HB
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Railways
- total: 5,296 km (2020) 5,296 km electrified; Switzerland remains the only country with a fully electrified network
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Merchant marine
- total: 17 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 14, general cargo 1, other 2 (includes Liechtenstein)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Military and Security7 fields
- Military and security forces
- Swiss Armed Forces (aka Swiss Army or Schweizer Armee); Army (aka Land Forces), Swiss Air Force (2025) note: the federal police maintain internal security and report to the Federal Department of Justice and Police
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military expenditures
- 0.7% of GDP (2024 est.) 0.7% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.7% of GDP (2022 est.) 0.7% of GDP (2021 est.) 0.7% of GDP (2020 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military and security service personnel strengths
- approximately 145,000 Swiss Armed Forces (2024) note: the strength figures include professional cadre (approximately 20,000 personnel), people awaiting or participating in mandatory annual training, and people who have already completed their training service obligation
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
- the military's inventory includes a mix of domestically produced and imported European and US weapons systems; the Swiss defense industry produces a range of military land vehicles (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military service age and obligation
- every Swiss man 18-30 is obligated to serve in the military or the alternative civilian service; women can serve on a voluntary basis; required military service is 245 days, including 18-21 weeks of basic training generally between the ages of 19-25, followed by six three-week recalls for refresher training over the following nine years; the system offers opportunities for conscripts to train as non-commissioned and commissioned officers in the militia with longer service commitments (2026) note: alternative civilian service is up to 370 days or 1.5x as many days as military service
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military deployments
- 200 Kosovo (NATO/KFOR) (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
- Military - note
- the Swiss military is responsible for territorial defense, limited support to international disaster response and peacekeeping, and providing support to civil authorities when their resources are not sufficient to ward off threats to internal security or provide sufficient relief during disasters; Switzerland has long maintained a policy of military neutrality but does periodically participate in EU, NATO, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), and UN military and peacekeeping operations; however, Swiss units will only participate in operations under the mandate of the UN or OSCE; Switzerland joined NATO’s Partnership for Peace program in 1996; it has contributed to the NATO-led force in Kosovo (KFOR) since 1999 (2025)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Terrorism1 fields
- Terrorist group(s)
- Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
Transnational Issues1 fields
- Refugees and internally displaced persons
- refugees: 213,177 (2024 est.) IDPs: 97 (2024 est.) stateless persons: 1,267 (2024 est.)
- CIA World Factbook historical record · as of · source
The underlying United States government material is public domain. The Almanac’s reuse terms do not change the legal status of this preserved source layer.