Switzerland (Swiss Confederation)

https://www.humantruth.info/switzerland.html

By Vexen Crabtree 2013

Switzerland Swiss Confederation
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	8th best
Capital	Bern
Land Area	40 000km²₁
Location	Europe
Population	8.5m₂
Life Expectancy	83.99yrs (2017)₃
GNI	$66 933 (2017)₄
ISO3166-1 Codes	CH, CHE, 756₅
Internet Domain	.ch₆
Currency	Franc (CHF)₇
Telephone	+41₈

1. Overview

“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.”
CIA's The World Factbook (2013)₉

“Look past the silk-smooth chocolate, cuckoo clocks and yodelling - contemporary Switzerland, land of four languages, is all about epic journeys and sublime experiences. This country begs outdoor escapades with its larger-than-life canvas of hallucinatory landscapes, so grab your boots, leap on board, toot the bike bell and let your spirits rip. Skiing and snowboarding in the winter wonderlands of Graubünden, Bernese Oberland and Central Switzerland are obvious choices. Hiking and biking trails abound in both glacier-encrusted mountain areas and lower down along lost valleys, mythical lakeshores and pea-green vines. Travels are mapped by mountain villages with timber storage barns and chalet farmsteads brightened with red.
The perfect antidote is a surprise set of cities: the capital Bern with its medieval Old Town and world-class modern art, deeply Germanic Basel and its bold architecture, shopping-chic Geneva astraddle Europe´s largest lake, tycoon-magnet Zug (play millionaire over a slice of liqueur-soaked cherry cake) and uber-cool Zürich with its rooftop bars and atypical Swiss street grit.”
"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)₁₀

2. Switzerland National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)₁₁
Pos.		Higher is better Value₁₁
1	Switzerland	0.962
2	Norway	0.961
3	Iceland	0.959
4	Hong Kong	0.952
5	Australia	0.951
6	Denmark	0.948
7	Sweden	0.947
8	Ireland	0.945
9	Germany	0.942
10	Netherlands	0.941
11	Finland	0.940
12	Singapore	0.939
	Europe Avg	0.87
	World Avg	0.72
q=191.

Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)₁₁
Pos.		Higher is better PPP $₁₁
1	Liechtenstein	$146 830
2	Singapore	$90 919
3	Qatar	$87 134
4	Luxembourg	$84 649
5	Ireland	$76 169
6	Switzerland	$66 933
7	USA	$64 765
8	Norway	$64 660
9	Brunei	$64 490
10	Hong Kong	$62 607
11	UAE	$62 574
12	Denmark	$60 365
	Europe Avg	$40 512
	World Avg	$20 136
q=193.

Social & Moral Development Index₁₂
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₂
1	Denmark	24.9
2	Norway	25.3
3	Sweden	27.7
4	Netherlands	29.0
5	Finland	29.2
6	Iceland	29.9
7	New Zealand	31.5
8	Switzerland	32.6
9	Australia	34.3
10	Austria	34.5
11	Ireland	35.1
12	Canada	35.5
	Europe Avg	55.7
	World Avg	89.9
q=199.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

3. Switzerland's Demographics and Migration

#birth_control #demographics #fertility #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population #yemen

Population:

Switzerland's population is predicted to fall to 8 094 000 by 2030. Developed countries with falling populations face a pension's crises, whereby an increasingly ageing population must be cared for by fewer and fewer workers. Economic stability can be maintained by increasing foreign workers from younger countries. This country has a fertility rate of 1.39. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population will grow, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity - the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate (two new children for each set of parents who die), which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.₁₃

Population₂
Pos.		2018 Population₂
1	China	1.4b
2	India	1.4b
3	USA	327.1m
	...
96	Austria	8.9m
97	Serbia	8.8m
98	Papua New Guinea	8.6m
99	Switzerland	8.5m
100	Israel	8.4m
101	Togo	7.9m
102	Sierra Leone	7.7m
103	Hong Kong	7.4m
	World Avg	39.0m
q=195.

Life Expectancy Higher is better₁₁
Pos.		2021 Years₁₁
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
4	Australia	84.5
5	Switzerland	84.0
6	Malta	83.8
7	S. Korea	83.7
8	Liechtenstein	83.3
9	Norway	83.2
10	Spain	83.0
11	Sweden	83.0
12	Italy	82.9
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best₁₄
Pos.		2022₁₄
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
105=	Norway	1.41
105=	Estonia	1.41
107	Bhutan	1.40
108	Switzerland	1.39
109	St Lucia	1.39
110	Turkmenistan	2.62
111	Bahamas	1.38
112	Albania	1.38
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better₁₅
Pos.		2016 Per 100₁₅
1	Uganda	04.3
2	Mali	04.5
3=	Chad	04.7
	...
167	S. Korea	37.6
168	Estonia	37.9
169	Belgium	38.1
170	Switzerland	38.3
171	Canada	38.5
172	Croatia	39.7
173	Malta	39.9
174=	France	40.5
	World Avg	18.3
q=185.

Migration:

Immigrants₁₆
Pos.		2017 %₁₆
1	UAE	88.4%
2	Kuwait	75.5%
3	Qatar	65.2%
	...
13	Jordan	33.3%
14	Nauru	32.7%
15	Lebanon	31.9%
16	Switzerland	29.6%
17	Australia	28.8%
18	Antigua & Barbuda	28.1%
19	Brunei	25.3%
20	Israel	23.6%
	World Avg	9.4%
q=195.

Emigrants₁₇
Pos.		2010 %₁₇
1	Dominica	104.8%
2	Palestine	68.4%
3	Samoa	67.3%
	...
104	Congo, (Brazzaville)	5.6%
105	Togo	5.4%
106	Ivory Coast	5.4%
107	Switzerland	5.4%
108	Malaysia	5.3%
109	Guinea	5.2%
110	Turkmenistan	5.0%
111	Mozambique	5.0%
	World Avg	11.5%
q=192.

4. Switzerland's Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#antisemitism #equality #freedom #freethought #gender #gender_equality #homosexuality #human_rights #international_law #mass_media #misogyny #morals #politics #prejudice #religious_tolerance #slavery #switzerland #tolerance #women

Compared to Europe (2025)₁₈
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₈
1	Sweden	6.1
2	Denmark	8.6
3	Norway	9.0
	...
13	France	25.8
14	Ireland	25.9
15	Slovenia	27.8
16	Switzerland	28.2
17	Italy	30.8
18	Portugal	31.3
19	Estonia	36.9
20	Malta	39.7
21	Cyprus	40.5
	Europe Avg	47.4
q=48.

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)₁₈
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₈
1	Sweden	6.1
2	Denmark	8.6
3	Norway	9.0
	...
16	France	25.8
17	Ireland	25.9
18	Slovenia	27.8
19	Switzerland	28.2
20	Italy	30.8
21	Portugal	31.3
22	Costa Rica	31.8
23	Japan	34.5
	World Avg	86.6
q=199.

The best countries in the world at ensuring human rights, fostering equality and promoting tolerance, are Sweden, Denmark and Norway₁₉. These countries are displaying the best traits that humanity has to offer. The worst countries are Somalia, N. Korea and Afghanistan₁₉.

21 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on supporting press freedom, eliminating modern slavery, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms, its average Freedom in the World rating, commentary in Human Rights Watch reports, its nominal commitment to Human Rights, speed of uptake of HR treaties, opposing gender inequality, the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators), the year from which women could participate in democracy, its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice, LGBT equality and freethought. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe₁₉, whereas the worst are Africa, The Middle East and Asia₁₉.

For more, see:

" Which are the Best Countries for Human Rights, Equality and Tolerance?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Human Rights & Tolerance:

Press Freedom Higher is better₂₀
Pos.		2025₂₀
1	Norway	92.31
2	Estonia	89.46
3	Netherlands	88.64
4	Sweden	88.13
5	Finland	87.18
6	Denmark	86.93
7	Ireland	86.92
8	Portugal	84.26
9	Switzerland	83.98
10	Czechia	83.96
11	Germany	83.85
12	Liechtenstein	83.42
	Europe Avg	70.63
	World Avg	54.65
q=179.

Slavery Lower is better₂₁
Pos.		2018 % Victims₂₁
1	Japan	0.03
2=	Canada	0.05
2=	Taiwan	0.05
	...
21	UAE	0.17
22=	Finland	0.17
22=	Austria	0.17
22=	Switzerland	0.17
25	Brazil	0.18
26=	Jordan	0.18
26=	Netherlands	0.18
26=	Norway	0.18
	Europe Avg	0.38
	World Avg	0.65
q=167.

Personal, Civil & Economic Freedom Lower is better₂₂
Pos.		2014 Rank₂₂
1	Hong Kong	1
2	Switzerland	2
3	New Zealand	3
4	Ireland	4
5	Denmark	5
6=	UK	6
6=	Canada	6
6=	Australia	6
9	Finland	9
10	Netherlands	10
11=	Luxembourg	11
11=	Austria	11
	Europe Avg	33.9
	World Avg	79.7
q=159.

Freedom in the World Lower is better
Pos.		2024 Score
1=	Norway	1.0
1=	Canada	1.0
1=	Cape Verde	1.0
	...
34=	Australia	1.0
34=	UK	1.0
34=	Tuvalu	1.0
34=	Switzerland	1.0
34=	Sweden	1.0
42	France	1.5
43=	St Kitts & Nevis	1.5
43=	Belize	1.5
	Europe Avg	2.2
	World Avg	3.7
q=205.

Nominal Commitment to HR Higher is better₂₃
Pos.		2009 Treaties₂₃
1	Argentina	24
2=	Chile	23
2=	Costa Rica	23
	...
50	New Zealand	20
51	Uganda	19
52=	Colombia	19
52=	Switzerland	19
52=	UK	19
52=	Venezuela	19
52=	Lesotho	19
52=	Rwanda	19
	Europe Avg	19.5
	World Avg	15.1
q=194.

HR Treaties Lag Lower is better₂₄
Pos.		2019 Avg Yrs/Treaty₂₄
1	Ecuador	2.15
2	Uruguay	2.25
3	Tunisia	3.65
	...
123	Cameroon	11.63
124	Sudan	11.65
125	Kazakhstan	11.67
126	Switzerland	11.71
127	Macedonia	11.71
128	Czechia	11.73
129	Malawi	11.77
130	Maldives	11.85
	Europe Avg	9.09
	World Avg	10.02
q=195.

Amnesty International's 2023-23 summary on human rights in Switzerland stated:

“The European Court of Human Rights found a violation of freedom of peaceful assembly. A landmark UN report exposed systemic racism in Switzerland. New legislation on rape was considered but not yet adopted. Several proposals to reform the law on abortion were ongoing. Parliament took a significant but insufficient step towards strengthening climate action. The war in Ukraine highlighted flaws in the current asylum system. A new draft law proposed extensive surveillance powers for the National Intelligence Service.”
"The State of the World's Human Rights 2022/23" by Amnesty International (2023)₂₅

Gender Equality:

Switzerland is notable for its equality between the sexes, even though women were prevented equal voting and standing rights until quite late.

See:

"Religion Versus Womankind" by Vexen Crabtree

Gender Inequality Lower is better₂₆
Pos.		2022₂₆
1	Denmark	0.01
2	Norway	0.01
3	Switzerland	0.02
4	Sweden	0.02
5	Netherlands	0.03
6	Finland	0.03
7	UAE	0.04
8	Singapore	0.04
9	Iceland	0.04
10	Luxembourg	0.04
11	Belgium	0.05
12	Austria	0.05
	Europe Avg	0.12
	World Avg	0.34
q=166.

Throughout the 1990s to 2010s, Switzerland sat amongst the 10 countries with the least amount of Gender Inequality.

Gender Biases Lower is better₂₇
Pos.		2022 %₂₇
1	Sweden	31.8₂₈
2	New Zealand	34.4₂₉
3	Australia	37.0₂₉
	...
9	USA	50.7₂₉
10	Finland	52.5₃₀
11	Spain	53.5₂₈
12	Switzerland	56.9₃₀
13	France	57.2₃₀
14	UK	57.7₃₀
15	Slovenia	61.1₂₈
16	Japan	63.4₂₉
	Europe Avg	69.08
	World Avg	83.93
q=88.

Year Women Can Vote Lower is better
Pos.		Total Year
1	New Zealand	1893
2	Australia	1902
3	Finland	1906
	...
156=	Congo, (Brazzaville)	1970
156=	Congo, DR	1970
156=	Yemen	1970
159	Switzerland	1971
160	Bangladesh	1972
161=	Bahrain	1973
161=	San Marino	1973
161=	Andorra	1973
	Europe Avg	1895
	World Avg	1930
q=189.

Prejudice:

Anti-Semite Opinions Lower is better₃₁
Pos.		2014 %₃₁
1	Laos	0
2	Philippines	3
3	Sweden	4
	...
34=	Mexico	24
35	Haiti	26
36=	Mongolia	26
36=	Switzerland	26
38	Belgium	27
39=	Germany	27
39=	Slovenia	27
41	Austria	28
	Europe Avg	29.9
	World Avg	36.8
q=101.

LGBT Equality Higher is better₃₂
Pos.		2017 Score₃₂
1	Netherlands	103
2	Belgium	90
3	Sweden	86
	...
37=	Monaco	40
37=	Poland	40
37=	Albania	40
37=	Switzerland	40
37=	Serbia	40
37=	Cyprus	40
37=	Italy	40
44	Greece	39
	Europe Avg	46.9
	World Avg	12.6
q=196.

Freedom of Thought Lower is better₃₃
Pos.		2021₃₃
1=	Belgium	1.0
1=	Taiwan	1.0
1=	Netherlands	1.0
	...
92	Tuvalu	3.0
93=	Australia	3.0
93=	Lesotho	3.0
93=	Switzerland	3.0
93=	El Salvador	3.0
93=	Serbia	3.0
93=	Cyprus	3.0
93=	Ivory Coast	3.0
	Europe Avg	2.6
	World Avg	3.0
q=196.

5. Switzerland's Health

#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #life_expectancy #longevity #mental_health #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #smoking #suicide #switzerland #vaccines

Compared to Europe (2025)₃₄
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₃₄
1	Monaco	14.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Isle of Man	32.1
	...
9	Iceland	45.9
10	Finland	46.9
11	Denmark	47.2
12	Switzerland	48.5
13	Netherlands	50.2
14	Belgium	50.7
15	Ireland	53.2
16	UK	54.0
17	Luxembourg	54.6
	Europe Avg	86.9
q=52.

Health (2025)₃₄
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₃₄
1	Monaco	14.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Isle of Man	32.1
	...
12	Finland	46.9
13	Denmark	47.2
14	Hong Kong	48.2
15	Switzerland	48.5
16	Australia	49.3
17	Singapore	49.5
18	Curaço	49.7
19	Aruba	49.9
	World Avg	96.7
q=212.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Liechtenstein and The Isle of Man₃₅. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are S. Sudan, Angola and Nigeria₃₅.

21 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Europe and The Balkans₃₅, whereas the worst are Africa, Micronesia and Melanesia₃₅.

For more, see:

"Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2020).

Health:

Switzerland does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. Switzerland comes in the best 20 for its adolescent birth rate₃₆ (one of the lowest in Europe), its average life expectancy₁₁ (amongst the highest in Europe) and in its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₇. It does better than average when it comes to its immunizations take-up₃₈. Switzerland does not succeed in everything, however. Switzerland does worse than average for its fertility rate₁₄, its smoking rate₃₉ and in its alcohol consumption rate₄₀. And finally, it falls into the worst 20 in terms of its suicide rate₄₁. The number of overweight adults has increased by 14% during the past 40 years. Life expectancy in Switzerland in 2014 and 2016 was the fourth-best in the world, at over 83yrs. On average It improved by +6.4yrs in the 30 years from 1990, although less than the global average of +7.9yrs. Switzerland's peak fertility rate was 2.66 in 1964.

Life Expectancy Higher is better₁₁
Pos.		2021 Years₁₁
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
4	Australia	84.5
5	Switzerland	84.0
6	Malta	83.8
7	S. Korea	83.7
8	Liechtenstein	83.3
9	Norway	83.2
10	Spain	83.0
11	Sweden	83.0
12	Italy	82.9
	Europe Avg	78.36
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better₄₀
Pos.		2016 Per Capita₄₀
1	Bangladesh	0.0
2	Kuwait	0.0
3	Libya	0.0
	...
167=	UK	11.5
167=	Gabon	11.5
167=	Slovakia	11.5
167=	Switzerland	11.5
171	Austria	11.6
172=	Estonia	11.6
172=	Poland	11.6
174	Russia	11.7
	Europe Avg	10.3
	World Avg	6.2
q=189.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best₁₄
Pos.		2022₁₄
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
105=	Norway	1.41
105=	Estonia	1.41
107	Bhutan	1.40
108	Switzerland	1.39
109	St Lucia	1.39
110	Turkmenistan	2.62
111	Bahamas	1.38
112	Albania	1.38
	Europe Avg	1.53
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Smoking Rates Lower is better₃₉
Pos.		2014₃₉
1	Guinea	15
2	Solomon Islands	26
3	Kiribati	28
	...
155	Slovakia	1 618
156	Romania	1 620
157	Tunisia	1 628
158	Switzerland	1 634
159	Serbia	1 644
160	Cyprus	1 688
161	Croatia	1 709
162	Japan	1 713
	Europe Avg	1 648
	World Avg	819
q=182.

Suicide Rate₄₁
Pos.		2013 Per 100k₄₁
1	Haiti	0
2	Grenada	0
3	Egypt	0.1
	...
72	Uruguay	32.3
73	France	33.2
74	Moldova	35.7
75	Switzerland	36.2
76	Croatia	36.4
77	Estonia	37.9
78	Serbia	38.1
79	Finland	39
	Europe Avg	26.99
	World Avg	20.93
q=91.

Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better₃₇
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₇
1	Sweden	1
2	Ireland	2
3	Denmark	3
4	UK	4
5	Norway	5
6	Switzerland	6
7	Germany	7
8	Canada	8
9	Netherlands	9
10	USA	10
11	Luxembourg	11
12	Finland	12
	Europe Avg	47.4
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Overweight Adults Lower is better₄₂
Pos.		2016 %₄₂
1	Vietnam	18.3
2	India	19.7
3	Bangladesh	20.0
	...
88=	Azerbaijan	53.6
89	S. Africa	53.8
90	Georgia	54.2
91=	Switzerland	54.3
91=	Austria	54.3
93	Armenia	54.4
94	Belize	54.8
95	Haiti	54.9
	Europe Avg	58.5
	World Avg	49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better₃₆
Pos.		2022 Per 1000₃₆
1	Hong Kong	1.6
2	Denmark	1.8
3	S. Korea	2.1
4	Norway	2.2
5	Switzerland	2.2
6	N. Korea	2.4
7	Singapore	2.5
8	Netherlands	2.7
9	Japan	2.8
10	UAE	2.8
11	Liechtenstein	3.0
12	Sweden	3.3
	Europe Avg	11.4
	World Avg	43.8
q=195.

Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 Higher is better₃₈
Pos.		2015 Avg %₃₈
1=	Hungary	99.0
1=	China	99.0
3	Uzbekistan	98.9
	...
62	Botswana	95.4
63	Gambia	95.4
64	Cyprus	95.3
65	Switzerland	95.3
66	Israel	95.2
67=	Grenada	95.2
67=	Slovenia	95.2
67=	Macedonia	95.2
	Europe Avg	92.7
	World Avg	88.3
q=194.

In the 1990s and 2000s, Switzerland was amongst the 10 countries with the lowest adolescent birth rate; in the 2010s, it successfully maintained the 3rd-lowest rate in the world, indicating strong social stability and a well-ordered culture.

6. Switzerland's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #energy #food #meat #over-exploitation #sustainability #switzerland #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism

Compared to Europe (2023)₄₃
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₄₃
1	Italy	57.4
2	Greece	61.5
3	Denmark	64.3
4=	France	65.4
5	Switzerland	66.0
6	Bulgaria	68.8
7	Romania	69.0
8	Spain	69.8
9	Iceland	70.1
10	UK	71.8
11=	Azerbaijan	71.9
12	Germany	73.3
13	Slovakia	73.4
	Europe Avg	80.6
q=43.

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2023)₄₃
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₄₃
1	Uruguay	46.1
2	Cuba	52.0
3	Fiji	53.7
	...
15	Sri Lanka	65.3
16=	Philippines	65.4
16=	France	65.4
18	Switzerland	66.0
19	Vietnam	66.1
20	Jordan	66.6
21	Algeria	67.5
22	Djibouti	67.6
	World Avg	94.3
q=190.

In terms of its responsibility towards the environment, Switzerland is positioned 18th-best in the world. This rank is calculated from 6 data sets. Switzerland performs the best when it comes to its environmental performance₄₄. It comes in the best 20 in energy to GDP efficiency₄₅ (amongst the highest in Europe). It does better than average for its score on the Green Future Index₄₆ (but bad for Europe) and in its forested percent change 2000-2020₄₇. Switzerland doesn't do so well in other areas. Switzerland does worse than average when it comes to how quickly it ratified the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity and in reducing annual meat consumption per person₄₈.

Forest Area Change 2000-2020 Higher is better₄₇
Pos.		Total₄₇
1	Guernsey	82.6%
2	Bahrain	75.2%
3	Iceland	64.7%
	...
43	Hungary	6.8%
44	India	6.7%
45	Costa Rica	6.2%
46	Switzerland	6.0%
47	Belarus	5.9%
48	Latvia	5.2%
49	Tunisia	5.2%
50	Swaziland	5.1%
	Europe Avg	8.2%
	World Avg	-0.1%
q=234.

Environmental Performance Higher is better₄₄
Pos.		2018₄₄
1	Switzerland	87.4
2	France	84.0
3	Denmark	81.6
4	Malta	80.9
5	Sweden	80.5
6	UK	79.9
7	Luxembourg	79.1
8	Austria	79.0
9	Ireland	78.8
10	Finland	78.6
11	Iceland	78.6
12	Spain	78.4
	Europe Avg	69.6
	World Avg	56.4
q=180.

Energy to GDP Efficiency Higher is better₄₅
Pos.		2014₄₅
1	Hong Kong	26.32
2	Sri Lanka	20.00
3	Panama	17.86
4=	Colombia	17.54
4=	Ireland	17.54
4=	Switzerland	17.54
7	Dominican Rep.	16.95
8	Mauritius	15.63
9=	Malta	15.15
9=	Singapore	15.15
11	Denmark	14.93
12	Peru	14.49
	Europe Avg	09.80
	World Avg	09.29
q=119.

Convention on Biological Diversity Earlier is better
Pos.		Total Signed
1=	China	1993 Dec 29
1=	Guinea	1993 Dec 29
1=	Cook Islands	1993 Dec 29
	...
97	Swaziland	1995 Feb 07
98	Zimbabwe	1995 Feb 09
99	Vietnam	1995 Feb 14
100	Switzerland	1995 Feb 19
101	Argentina	1995 Feb 20
102	Myanmar (Burma)	1995 Feb 23
103	Colombia	1995 Feb 26
104	Ivory Coast	1995 Feb 27
	Europe Avg	1899 Dec 30
	World Avg	1899 Dec 30
q=197.

Meat Consumption Lower is better₄₈
Pos.		2021 kg₄₈
1	Congo, DR	03.0
2	Burundi	03.5
3	Bangladesh	04.3
	...
120	Sweden	66.9
121	Romania	67.1
122	Malta	67.8
123	Switzerland	68.0
124	Micronesia	70.4
125	Denmark	70.5
126	Seychelles	70.6
127	S. Africa	71.6
	Europe Avg	71.1
	World Avg	52.5
q=185.

In the 2010s, meat consumption per person in Switzerland was well above the global average (of 49kgs per year), putting unnecessary strain on water supplies and the environment, although the rate during that decade was reducing.₄₈

Green Future Index Higher is better₄₆
Pos.		2023 Score₄₆
1	Iceland	6.7
2	Finland	6.7
3	Norway	6.4
	...
17	Greece	5.6
18	Portugal	5.5
19	USA	5.4
20=	Switzerland	5.4
20=	Poland	5.4
22	Austria	5.4
23	Bulgaria	5.3
24	Costa Rica	5.3
	Europe Avg	5.6
	World Avg	4.8
q=76.

7. Switzerland's Modernity and Learning

#education #english #intelligence #it_security #maths #modernity #religion #religiosity #research #science #secularisation #technology #the_internet

Compared to Europe (2020)₄₉
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₄₉
1	Finland	7.1
2	Belgium	12.9
3	Denmark	13.6
4	Iceland	15.0
5	Sweden	15.8
6	Germany	16.3
7	Switzerland	17.4
8	Estonia	17.9
9	Norway	18.3
10	UK	19.4
11	Netherlands	19.5
12	Ireland	19.8
13	Austria	19.9
	Europe Avg	39.8
q=45.

Modernity & Learning (2020)₄₉
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₄₉
1	Finland	7.1
2	Belgium	12.9
3	Denmark	13.6
4	Iceland	15.0
5	New Zealand	15.2
6	Sweden	15.8
7	Germany	16.3
8	Australia	16.6
9	Switzerland	17.4
10	Estonia	17.9
11	Norway	18.3
12	UK	19.4
	World Avg	86.3
q=190.

Modernity and Education:

Research & Development Higher is better
Pos.		2016 % RDP PPP
1	S. Korea	4.29₅₀
2	Israel	4.11₅₀
3	Japan	3.58₅₀
4	Finland	3.17₅₀
5	Sweden	3.16₅₀
6	Denmark	3.05₅₀
7	Taiwan	3.01₅₀
8	Austria	3.00₅₁
9	Switzerland	2.96₅₂
10	Germany	2.84₅₀
11	USA	2.74₅₃
12	Belgium	2.46₅₀
	Europe Avg	1.32
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

Secondary Education Higher is better₅₄
Pos.		2018₅₄
1=	Luxembourg	100.0%
1=	Estonia	100.0%
1=	Austria	100.0%
	...
16	Hungary	97.2%
17	Palau	97.1%
18	New Zealand	96.9%
19	Switzerland	96.5%
20	Moldova	96.4%
21	Germany	96.3%
22	Russia	95.9%
23	Croatia	95.7%
	Europe Avg	88.3%
	World Avg	63.0%
q=169.

Length of Schooling Higher is better₅₅
Pos.		2021 Years₅₅
1	Australia	21.1
2	New Zealand	20.3
3	Greece	20.0
	...
24	Costa Rica	16.5
25	Singapore	16.5
26	S. Korea	16.5
27	Switzerland	16.5
28	Canada	16.4
29	Bahrain	16.3
30	Lithuania	16.3
31	USA	16.3
	Europe Avg	16.1
	World Avg	13.5
q=193.

Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better₃₇
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₇
1	Ukraine	1
2	Czechia	2
3	Hungary	3
	...
8	Netherlands	8
9	Belgium	9
10	Slovenia	10
11	Switzerland	11
12	New Zealand	12
13	Latvia	13
14	Bulgaria	14
15	Iceland	15
	Europe Avg	31.3
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Maths, Science & Reading Higher is better₅₆
Pos.		2015 Score₅₆
1	Singapore	1655
2	Hong Kong	1598
3	Japan	1586
	...
12=	Slovenia	1528
13	Germany	1524
14=	Netherlands	1524
15	Switzerland	1519
16	New Zealand	1517
17=	Norway	1513
17=	Denmark	1513
19	Poland	1511
	Europe Avg	1417
	World Avg	1389
q=70.

Religiosity Lower is better₅₇
Pos.		2018 %₅₇
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
4=	Switzerland	9
4=	Denmark	9
6	Germany	10
7=	UK	10
7=	Sweden	10
7=	Japan	10
7=	Finland	10
11	Latvia	11
12=	France	11
	Europe Avg	25.8
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

IQ Higher is better₅₈
Pos.		2006₅₈
1=	Hong Kong	108
1=	Singapore	108
3	S. Korea	106
4=	Japan	105
4=	Taiwan	105
4=	China	105
7	Italy	102
8=	Iceland	101
8=	Switzerland	101
8=	Mongolia	101
11	Netherlands	100
12=	Norway	100
	Europe Avg	96.6
	World Avg	85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users Higher is better₅₉
Pos.		2016₅₉
1	Iceland	100%
2	Faroe Islands	99%
3	Norway	98%
	...
23	Czechia	88%
24	Germany	88%
25	Aruba	88%
26	Switzerland	87%
27	France	86%
28	S. Korea	86%
29	Australia	85%
30	Bahamas	85%
	Europe Avg	76.7%
	World Avg	48.1%
q=201.

IT Security Lower is better₆₀
Pos.		2013₆₀
1=	Ireland	0.11
1=	Luxembourg	0.11
1=	Belize	0.11
	...
19	Romania	0.52
20	Turkey	0.52
21	Poland	0.55
22	Switzerland	0.55
23	S. Korea	0.56
24	Australia	0.63
25	Libya	0.63
26	Qatar	0.65
	Europe Avg	0.80
	World Avg	0.98

IPv6 Uptake Higher is better₆₁
Pos.		2017 Ratio₆₁
1	Belgium	55.4
2	Germany	41.8
3	Switzerland	35.1
4	USA	35.0
5	Greece	33.5
6	Luxembourg	32.4
7	India	26.8
8	Portugal	26.6
9	Ireland	26.1
10	UK	24.7
11	Japan	22.1
12	France	18.8
	Europe Avg	8.11
	World Avg	3.82
q=176.

Digital Quality of Life Higher is better₆₂
Pos.		2024₆₂
1	Germany	77.9%
2	Finland	76.9%
3	France	73.9%
	...
8	Luxembourg	70.0%
9	UK	69.3%
10	Estonia	69.3%
11	Switzerland	69.0%
12	Sweden	68.7%
13	Japan	68.3%
14	Singapore	67.9%
15	Lithuania	67.8%
	Europe Avg	61.0%
	World Avg	48.4%
q=121.

8. National Culture

#charity #corruption #denmark #happiness #morals #norway #politics #switzerland

World Giving Index Higher is better₆₃
Pos.		2022 %₆₃
1	Indonesia	68.0
2	Kenya	61.0
3	USA	59.0
	...
73=	Uzbekistan	38.0
73=	Chile	38.0
73=	Mali	38.0
76	Switzerland	37.0
77=	Finland	37.0
77=	Hong Kong	37.0
77=	Cameroon	37.0
77=	Iraq	37.0
	Europe Avg	39.0
	World Avg	39.6
q=125.

Corruption Higher is better₆₄
Pos.		2022 Points₆₄
1	Denmark	90.0
2=	Finland	87.0
2=	New Zealand	87.0
4	Norway	84.0
5=	Singapore	83.0
5=	Sweden	83.0
7	Switzerland	82.0
8	Netherlands	80.0
9	Germany	79.0
10=	Ireland	77.0
10=	Luxembourg	77.0
12	Hong Kong	76.0
	Europe Avg	57.61
	World Avg	42.98
q=180.

In the 1990s, Switzerland had the 10th-best average result per year on the Corruption Perception Index; it has consistently done well. In the 2010s had the 5th-best average score throughout that decade.

Happiness Higher is better₆₅
Pos.		2024 Score₆₅
1	Finland	7.7
2	Denmark	7.5
3	Iceland	7.5
	...
10	Mexico	7.0
11	Australia	7.0
12	New Zealand	7.0
13	Switzerland	6.9
14	Belgium	6.9
15	Ireland	6.9
16	Lithuania	6.8
17	Austria	6.8
	Europe Avg	6.37
	World Avg	5.58
q=147.

In 2014, after steady improvements, Switzerland temporarily became the happiest country in the world, finally beaming over Denmark and Norway.

Creativity & Culture Lower is better₃₇
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₇
1	Belgium	1
2	Netherlands	2
3	Estonia	3
4	Switzerland	4
5	Sweden	5
6	Denmark	6
7	Austria	7
8	Ireland	8
9	Czechia	9
10	Luxembourg	10
11	UK	11
12	Portugal	12
	Europe Avg	35.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better₃₇
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₇
1	Ireland	1
2	Denmark	2
3	Sweden	3
4	Netherlands	4
5	Switzerland	5
6	Serbia	6
7	Belgium	7
8	Norway	8
9	Finland	9
10	Croatia	10
11	Georgia	11
12	Philippines	12
	Europe Avg	42.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

9. Peace Versus Instability

#extremism #human_development #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism

Global Peace Index Lower is better₆₆
Pos.		2023 Score₆₆
1	Iceland	1.12
2	Denmark	1.31
3	Ireland	1.31
	...
7	Portugal	1.33
8	Slovenia	1.33
9	Japan	1.34
10	Switzerland	1.34
11	Canada	1.35
12	Czechia	1.38
13	Finland	1.40
14	Croatia	1.45
	Europe Avg	1.70
	World Avg	2.07
q=163.

Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better₃₇
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₇
1	Samoa	1
2	S. Africa	2
3	Tunisia	3
	...
41	Canada	41
42	Azerbaijan	42
43	Senegal	43
44	Switzerland	44
45	Bolivia	45
46	Burkina Faso	46
47	Philippines	47
48	UK	48
	Europe Avg	84.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Refugees & UN Treaties Lower is better₃₇
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₇
1	Austria	1
2	Germany	2
3	Netherlands	3
	...
7	Norway	7
8	Finland	8
9	Denmark	9
10	Switzerland	10
11	Canada	11
12	UK	12
13	Belgium	13
14	Italy	14
	Europe Avg	37.8
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Impact of Terrorism Lower is better₆₇
Pos.		2019 Score₆₇
1	Togo	0.00
2	Mongolia	0.00
3	Swaziland	0.00
	...
30	Uruguay	0.17
31	Dominican Rep.	0.18
32	Hungary	0.18
33	Switzerland	0.19
34	Latvia	0.23
35	S. Korea	0.30
36	Macedonia	0.30
37	Zambia	0.31
	Europe Avg	1.62
	World Avg	2.78
q=150.

10. Economic Inequality and Poverty

#capitalism #economics #health #inequality #life_expectancy #social_development

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better₆₈
Pos.		2019₆₈
1	Iceland	2.40
2=	Singapore	2.50
2=	Hong Kong	2.50
	...
16	Ireland	3.40
17	Portugal	3.50
18=	Greece	3.50
18=	Switzerland	3.50
20	Belgium	3.60
21=	Estonia	3.60
21=	Montenegro	3.60
21=	Cyprus	3.60
	Europe Avg	4.86
	World Avg	14.59
q=184.

Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better₆₉
Pos.		2023 %₆₉
1	Slovakia	24.1%₇₀
2	Slovenia	24.3%₇₀
3	Belarus	24.4%₇₁
	...
67	Palestine	33.7%₇₂
68=	Tunisia	33.7%₇₀
68=	Jordan	33.7%₇₃
68=	Switzerland	33.7%₇₁
71	Spain	33.9%₇₀
72=	Romania	33.9%₇₀
73	Tajikistan	34.0%₇₄
74	Sudan	34.2%₇₅
	Europe Avg	30.7%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167.

11. Religion and Beliefs

#atheism #belief #buddhism #catholicism #christianity #god #hinduism #islam #judaism #religion #religiosity #secularisation #switzerland

Religiosity (2018)₅₇
Pos.		Lower is better %₅₇
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
4=	Switzerland	9
4=	Denmark	9
6	Germany	10
7=	UK	10
7=	Sweden	10
7=	Japan	10
7=	Finland	10
11	Latvia	11
12=	France	11
12=	Belgium	11
14	Austria	12
15	Hungary	14
16	Albania	15
17=	Lithuania	16
17=	S. Korea	16
17=	Russia	16
20	Australia	18
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

Disbelief In God (2007)₇₆
Pos.		Higher is better %₇₆
1	Vietnam	81
2	Japan	65
3	Sweden	64
	...
26=	Mongolia	20
27	Austria	18
28=	Slovakia	17
28=	Switzerland	17
28=	Belarus	17
31	Greece	16
32=	Iceland	16
33	Spain	15
34=	Israel	15
35	Armenia	14
36=	Lithuania	13
36=	Singapore	13
38	Kazakhstan	12
39=	China	12
39=	Uruguay	12
41	USA	10
	World Avg	9.9
q=137.

Data from the Pew Forum, a professional polling outfit, states that in 2010 the religious makeup of this country was as follows in the table below₇₇:

Christian	81.3%
Muslim	5.5%
Hindu	0.4%
Buddhist	0.4%
Folk Religion	0.1%
Jewish	0.3%
Unaffiliated	11.9%

By adding up the Pew Forum data for the major monotheistic religions we can see that these make up 87.1% of the population. Yet there are simply too many who disbelieve in God for this to be true (17%). This is due to the so-called 'Census Effect', whereby many put down a religion for cultural reasons rather than because it reflects their beliefs. In highly Christian countries, as many as half of those who say they're a Christian lack any connection to a Church, and do not hold Christian beliefs (such as believing in God!).

It appears that when asked "What religion are you" many give pollsters the 'correct' answer despite how they actually feel, and despite what they actually believe. Although 88% of the populace say they belong to a religion, only 9% say that they are religious when the question is phrased as "Is religion an important part of your daily life?".

For more on this phenomenon, see:

"Institutionalized Religions Have Their Numbers Inflated by National Polls" by Vexen Crabtree

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Roman Catholic 41.8%, Protestant 35.3%, Muslim 4.3%, Orthodox 1.8%, other Christian 0.4%, other 1%, unspecified 4.3%, none 11.1% (2000 census)₇₈.

Switzerland has a long history of religious tolerance₇₉. But things still need improving in several areas. The International Humanist and Ethical Union produced a report in 2012 entitled "Freedom of Thought" (2012)₈₀, in which they document bias and prejudice at the national level that is based on religion, belief and/or lack of belief. Their entry for Switzerland states:

“The constitution and other laws and policies protect freedom of religion or belief. However, some individual cantons still pursue discriminatory policies based on the locally dominant religion (Protestant or Catholic).
Most of the 26 cantons (with the exception of Geneva and Neuchatel, where church and state are separate) financially support at least one of the three traditional religious communities - Roman Catholic, Old Catholic, or Protestant - with funds collected through a church tax. Each canton observes its own regulations regarding the relationship between church and state. In some cantons the church tax is voluntary, while in others an individual who chooses not to contribute to the church tax may have to leave the church formally. In some cantons private companies are unable to avoid payment of the church tax. Some cantons also allow the church tax to be collected on behalf of the Jewish community. Islamic and other nontraditional religious and atheist groups are excluded from these benefits.
In October 2010, Valentin Abgottspon was dismissed from his job as teacher at a public school in the canton of Valais after he raised concerns about the state's promotion of Catholicism in public schools. Article 3 of the canton's education law states that schools should prepare students for their duties "as human beings and Christians". Abgottspon was told he was fired for removing the crucifix from the classrooms in the public school at which he taught.
”
"Freedom of Thought" by IHEU (2012)₈₁

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