The Human Truth Foundation

Switzerland (Swiss Confederation)

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

By Vexen Crabtree 2013

#atheism #catholicism #switzerland

Switzerland
Swiss Confederation
StatusIndependent State
Social and Moral Index8th best
CapitalBern
Land Area 40 000km21
LocationEurope
Population8.5m2
Life Expectancy83.99yrs (2017)3
GNI$66 933 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 CodesCH, CHE, 7565
Internet Domain.ch6
CurrencyFranc (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

Book CoverLook 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
1Switzerland0.962
2Norway0.961
3Iceland0.959
4Hong Kong0.952
5Australia0.951
6Denmark0.948
7Sweden0.947
8Ireland0.945
9Germany0.942
10Netherlands0.941
11Finland0.940
12Singapore0.939
Europe Avg0.87
World Avg0.72
q=191.
Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
PPP $11
1Liechtenstein$146 830
2Singapore$90 919
3Qatar$87 134
4Luxembourg$84 649
5Ireland$76 169
6Switzerland$66 933
7USA$64 765
8Norway$64 660
9Brunei$64 490
10Hong Kong$62 607
11UAE$62 574
12Denmark$60 365
Europe Avg$40 512
World Avg$20 136
q=193.
Social & Moral
Development Index
12
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank12
1Norway29.8
2Denmark30.0
3Finland33.7
4Sweden33.9
5Netherlands34.3
6Iceland34.5
7New Zealand36.1
8Switzerland37.3
9Germany38.1
10UK38.9
11Austria39.0
12Australia39.0
Europe Avg59.3
World Avg87.9
q=196.

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 #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population

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 1.53. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population is growing, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity, i.e., 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, 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.

Population2
Pos.2018
Population2
1China1.4b
2India1.4b
3USA327.1m
...
96Austria8.9m
97Serbia8.8m
98Papua New Guinea8.6m
99Switzerland8.5m
100Israel8.4m
101Togo7.9m
102Sierra Leone7.7m
103Hong Kong7.4m
World Avg39.0m
q=195.
Life Expectancy
Higher is better
11
Pos.2021
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
4Australia84.5
5Switzerland84.0
6Malta83.8
7S. Korea83.7
8Liechtenstein83.3
9Norway83.2
10Spain83.0
11Sweden83.0
12Italy82.9
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Fertility Rate
2.0 is best
13
Pos.201313
1N. Korea2.00
2Brunei1.99
3St Vincent & Grenadines2.01
...
71Thailand1.54
72Greece1.54
73Georgia1.53
74Switzerland1.53
75Mongolia2.48
76Russia1.52
77Albania1.51
78Latvia1.50
World Avg2.81
q=180.
Old-Age Dependency Ratio
Lower is better
14
Pos.2016
Per 10014
1Uganda04.3
2Mali04.5
3=Chad04.7
...
167S. Korea37.6
168Estonia37.9
169Belgium38.1
170Switzerland38.3
171Canada38.5
172Croatia39.7
173Malta39.9
174=France40.5
World Avg18.3
q=185.

Migration:

Immigrants15
Pos.2017
%15
1UAE88.4%
2Kuwait75.5%
3Qatar65.2%
...
13Jordan33.3%
14Nauru32.7%
15Lebanon31.9%
16Switzerland29.6%
17Australia28.8%
18Antigua & Barbuda28.1%
19Brunei25.3%
20Israel23.6%
World Avg9.4%
q=195.
Emigrants16
Pos.2010
%16
1Dominica104.8%
2Palestine68.4%
3Samoa67.3%
...
104Congo, (Brazzaville)5.6%
105Togo5.4%
106Ivory Coast5.4%
107Switzerland5.4%
108Malaysia5.3%
109Guinea5.2%
110Turkmenistan5.0%
111Mozambique5.0%
World Avg11.5%
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 #tolerance #women

Compared to Europe (2020)17
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank17
1Sweden9.0
2Norway14.5
3Denmark14.5
...
23Malta46.1
24Bulgaria46.3
25Cyprus46.5
26Switzerland49.5
27Hungary52.4
28Latvia52.5
29Lithuania53.0
30Kosovo54.2
31Greece58.1
Europe Avg51.4
q=49.
Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2020)17
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank17
1Sweden9.0
2Norway14.5
3Denmark14.5
...
35Bulgaria46.3
36Cyprus46.5
37USA47.3
38Switzerland49.5
39Brazil52.1
40Hungary52.4
41Latvia52.5
42Lithuania53.0
World Avg87.9
q=199.

The best countries in the world at ensuring human rights, fostering equality and promoting tolerance, are Sweden, Norway and Denmark18. These countries are displaying the best traits that humanity has to offer. The worst countries are The Solomon Islands, Somalia and Tuvalu18.

The data sets used to calculate points for each country are statistics on commentary in Human Rights Watch reports, its nominal commitment to Human Rights, speed of uptake of HR treaties, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms, supporting press freedom, eliminating modern slavery, 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 Europe18, whereas the worst are Melanesia, Micronesia and Australasia18.

For more, see:

Human Rights & Tolerance:

Nominal Commitment to HR
Higher is better
19
Pos.2009
Treaties19
1Argentina24
2=Chile23
2=Costa Rica23
...
50New Zealand20
51Uganda19
52=Colombia19
52=Switzerland19
52=UK19
52=Venezuela19
52=Lesotho19
52=Rwanda19
Europe Avg19.5
World Avg15.1
q=194.
HR Treaties Lag
Lower is better
20
Pos.2019
Avg Yrs/Treaty20
1Ecuador2.15
2Uruguay2.25
3Tunisia3.65
...
123Cameroon11.63
124Sudan11.65
125Kazakhstan11.67
126Switzerland11.71
127Macedonia11.71
128Czechia11.73
129Malawi11.77
130Maldives11.85
Europe Avg9.09
World Avg10.02
q=195.
Personal, Civil & Economic Freedom
Lower is better
21
Pos.2014
Rank21
1Hong Kong1
2Switzerland2
3New Zealand3
4Ireland4
5Denmark5
6=UK6
6=Canada6
6=Australia6
9Finland9
10Netherlands10
11=Luxembourg11
11=Austria11
Europe Avg33.9
World Avg79.7
q=159.
Press Freedom
Lower is better
22
Pos.201322
1Finland638
2Netherlands648
3Norway652
...
11Estonia926
12Austria940
13Jamaica988
14Switzerland994
15Ireland1006
16Czechia1017
17Germany1024
18Costa Rica1208
Europe Avg2044
World Avg3249
q=178.
Slavery
Lower is better
23
Pos.2018
% Victims23
1Japan0.03
2=Canada0.05
2=Taiwan0.05
...
21UAE0.17
22=Finland0.17
22=Austria0.17
22=Switzerland0.17
25Brazil0.18
26=Jordan0.18
26=Netherlands0.18
26=Norway0.18
Europe Avg0.38
World Avg0.65
q=167.

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)24

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:

Gender Inequality
Lower is better
25
Pos.201525
1Switzerland0.04
2Denmark0.04
3Netherlands0.04
4Sweden0.05
5Iceland0.05
6Norway0.05
7Slovenia0.05
8Finland0.06
9Germany0.07
10S. Korea0.07
11Singapore0.07
12Belgium0.07
Europe Avg0.15
World Avg0.36
q=159.
Gender Biases
Lower is better
26
Pos.2022
%26
1Sweden31.827
2New Zealand34.428
3Australia37.028
...
9USA50.728
10Finland52.529
11Spain53.527
12Switzerland56.929
13France57.229
14UK57.729
15Slovenia61.127
16Japan63.428
Europe Avg69.08
World Avg83.93
q=88.
Year Women Can Vote
Lower is better
Pos.Total
Year
1New Zealand1893
2Australia1902
3Finland1906
...
156=Congo, (Brazzaville)1970
156=Congo, DR1970
156=Yemen1970
159Switzerland1971
160Bangladesh1972
161=Bahrain1973
161=San Marino1973
161=Andorra1973
Europe Avg1895
World Avg1930
q=189.

Prejudice:

Anti-Semite Opinions
Lower is better
30
Pos.2014
%30
1Laos0
2Philippines3
3Sweden4
...
34=Mexico24
35Haiti26
36=Mongolia26
36=Switzerland26
38Belgium27
39=Germany27
39=Slovenia27
41Austria28
Europe Avg29.9
World Avg36.8
q=101.
LGBT Equality
Higher is better
31
Pos.2017
Score31
1Netherlands103
2Belgium90
3Sweden86
...
37=Monaco40
37=Poland40
37=Albania40
37=Switzerland40
37=Serbia40
37=Cyprus40
37=Italy40
44Greece39
Europe Avg46.9
World Avg12.6
q=196.
Freedom of Thought
Lower is better
32
Pos.202132
1=Belgium1.0
1=Netherlands1.0
1=Taiwan1.0
...
85Slovakia2.8
86=Venezuela2.8
86=Canada2.8
88Switzerland3.0
89=Belize3.0
89=Lesotho3.0
89=Laos3.0
89=Grenada3.0
Europe Avg2.6
World Avg3.0
q=196.

5. Switzerland's Health

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

Compared to Europe (2020)33
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank33
1Monaco13.0
2Norway61.0
3=Finland65.3
4Switzerland65.6
5Italy67.5
6Spain69.6
7Portugal72.3
8Luxembourg72.9
9Denmark74.3
10Germany74.4
11Austria74.5
12Sweden75.6
13Iceland76.9
Europe Avg82.5
q=46.
Health (2020)33
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank33
1Monaco13.0
2Hong Kong18.3
3Maldives41.0
...
15N. Korea65.0
16=Thailand65.3
16=Finland65.3
18Switzerland65.6
19Bangladesh66.8
20Kuwait67.1
21Italy67.5
22Uzbekistan68.4
World Avg93.5
q=196.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Hong Kong and The Maldives34. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are The Marshall Islands, S. Sudan and Palau34.

The data sets used to calculate points for each country are 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, Asia and The Mediterranean34, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Australasia and Africa34.

For more, see:

Health:

Switzerland does relatively well in encouraging good health, compared to many other countries. Switzerland comes in the best 20 in its adolescent birth rate25 (the lowest in Europe), its average life expectancy11 (amongst the best in Europe) and in its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance35. It does better than average in its immunizations take-up36 and in its fertility rate13. Switzerland doesn't do so well in other areas. Switzerland does worse than average for its smoking rate37 and in its alcohol consumption rate38. And finally, it sits amongst the bottom 20 when it comes to its suicide rate39. The number of overweight adults has increased by 14% over 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.

Life Expectancy
Higher is better
11
Pos.2021
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
4Australia84.5
5Switzerland84.0
6Malta83.8
7S. Korea83.7
8Liechtenstein83.3
9Norway83.2
10Spain83.0
11Sweden83.0
12Italy82.9
Europe Avg78.36
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Alcohol Consumption
Lower is better
38
Pos.2016
Per Capita38
1Bangladesh0.0
2Kuwait0.0
3Libya0.0
...
167=UK11.5
167=Gabon11.5
167=Slovakia11.5
167=Switzerland11.5
171Austria11.6
172=Estonia11.6
172=Poland11.6
174Russia11.7
Europe Avg10.3
World Avg6.2
q=189.
Fertility Rate
2.0 is best
13
Pos.201313
1N. Korea2.00
2Brunei1.99
3St Vincent & Grenadines2.01
...
71Thailand1.54
72Greece1.54
73Georgia1.53
74Switzerland1.53
75Mongolia2.48
76Russia1.52
77Albania1.51
78Latvia1.50
Europe Avg1.61
World Avg2.81
q=180.
Smoking Rates
Lower is better
37
Pos.201437
1Guinea 15
2Solomon Islands 26
3Kiribati 28
...
155Slovakia1 618
156Romania1 620
157Tunisia1 628
158Switzerland1 634
159Serbia1 644
160Cyprus1 688
161Croatia1 709
162Japan1 713
Europe Avg1 648
World Avg 819
q=182.
Suicide Rate39
Pos.2013
Per 100k39
1Haiti0
2Grenada0
3Egypt0.1
...
72Uruguay32.3
73France33.2
74Moldova35.7
75Switzerland36.2
76Croatia36.4
77Estonia37.9
78Serbia38.1
79Finland39
Europe Avg26.99
World Avg20.93
q=91.
Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance
Lower is better
35
Pos.2017
Rank35
1Sweden1
2Ireland2
3Denmark3
4UK4
5Norway5
6Switzerland6
7Germany7
8Canada8
9Netherlands9
10USA10
11Luxembourg11
12Finland12
Europe Avg47.4
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Overweight Adults
Lower is better
40
Pos.2016
%40
1Vietnam18.3
2India19.7
3Bangladesh20.0
...
88=Azerbaijan53.6
89S. Africa53.8
90Georgia54.2
91=Switzerland54.3
91=Austria54.3
93Armenia54.4
94Belize54.8
95Haiti54.9
Europe Avg58.5
World Avg49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate
Lower is better
25
Pos.2015
Per 100025
1N. Korea0.5
2S. Korea1.6
3Switzerland2.9
4Hong Kong3.2
5Slovenia3.8
6Singapore3.8
7Netherlands4.0
8Denmark4.0
9Japan4.1
10Cyprus5.0
11Sweden5.7
12Norway5.9
Europe Avg14.6
World Avg47.9
q=185.
Infant Immunizations 2011-2015
Higher is better
36
Pos.2015
Avg %36
1=Hungary99.0
1=China99.0
3Uzbekistan98.9
...
62Botswana95.4
63Gambia95.4
64Cyprus95.3
65Switzerland95.3
66Israel95.2
67=Grenada95.2
67=Slovenia95.2
67=Macedonia95.2
Europe Avg92.7
World Avg88.3
q=194.

6. Switzerland's Responsibility Towards The Environment

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

Compared to Europe (2023)41
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank41
1Greece50.4
2Italy51.8
3Germany55.8
4=Norway56.0
4=Sweden56.0
6Portugal57.0
7=Spain57.6
8Switzerland60.8
9=France61.8
9=Denmark61.8
11Luxembourg64.2
12Netherlands65.8
13=Austria66.6
Europe Avg79.9
q=43.
Responsibility Towards The Environment (2023)41
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank41
1Japan33.2
2Philippines45.0
3Uruguay48.0
...
24=Colombia58.8
24=Uganda58.8
26Morocco60.4
27Switzerland60.8
28=Tunisia61.0
28=Paraguay61.0
30France61.8
31=Denmark61.8
World Avg85.7
q=188.
Switzerland is positioned 27th in the world regarding its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is calculated from 6 data sets. Switzerland performs the best in its environmental performance42. It comes in the best 20 in terms of energy to GDP efficiency43 (amongst the highest in Europe). It does better than average when it comes to its score on the Green Future Index44 (but low for Europe) and in its forested percent change 2000-202045. But, there's bad news too. Switzerland does worse than average when it comes to how quickly it ratified the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity and in annual meat consumption per person46.

Forest Area Change 2000-2020
Higher is better
45
Pos.Total45
1Guernsey82.6%
2Bahrain75.2%
3Iceland64.7%
...
43Hungary6.8%
44India6.7%
45Costa Rica6.2%
46Switzerland6.0%
47Belarus5.9%
48Latvia5.2%
49Tunisia5.2%
50Swaziland5.1%
Europe Avg8.2%
World Avg-0.1%
q=234.
Environmental Performance
Higher is better
42
Pos.201842
1Switzerland87.4
2France84.0
3Denmark81.6
4Malta80.9
5Sweden80.5
6UK79.9
7Luxembourg79.1
8Austria79.0
9Ireland78.8
10Finland78.6
11Iceland78.6
12Spain78.4
Europe Avg69.6
World Avg56.4
q=180.
Energy to GDP Efficiency
Higher is better43
Pos.201443
1Hong Kong26.32
2Sri Lanka20.00
3Panama17.86
4=Colombia17.54
4=Ireland17.54
4=Switzerland17.54
7Dominican Rep.16.95
8Mauritius15.63
9=Malta15.15
9=Singapore15.15
11Denmark14.93
12Peru14.49
Europe Avg09.80
World Avg09.29
q=119.
Convention on Biological Diversity
Earlier is better
Pos.Total
Signed
1=China1993 Dec 29
1=Guinea1993 Dec 29
1=Cook Islands1993 Dec 29
...
97Swaziland1995 Feb 07
98Zimbabwe1995 Feb 09
99Vietnam1995 Feb 14
100Switzerland1995 Feb 19
101Argentina1995 Feb 20
102Myanmar (Burma)1995 Feb 23
103Colombia1995 Feb 26
104Ivory Coast1995 Feb 27
Europe Avg1899 Dec 30
World Avg1899 Dec 30
q=197.
Meat Consumption
Lower is better
46
Pos.2021
kg46
1Congo, DR03.0
2Burundi03.5
3Bangladesh04.3
...
120Sweden66.9
121Romania67.1
122Malta67.8
123Switzerland68.0
124Micronesia70.4
125Denmark70.5
126Seychelles70.6
127S. Africa71.6
Europe Avg71.1
World Avg52.5
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.46

Green Future Index
Higher is better
44
Pos.2023
Score44
1Iceland6.7
2Finland6.7
3Norway6.4
...
17Greece5.6
18Portugal5.5
19USA5.4
20=Switzerland5.4
20=Poland5.4
22Austria5.4
23Bulgaria5.3
24Costa Rica5.3
Europe Avg5.6
World Avg4.8
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)47
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank47
1Finland8.4
2Switzerland15.1
3Estonia15.8
4Denmark16.0
5Belgium16.1
6Czechia16.7
7Sweden18.6
8Germany18.6
9Iceland19.6
10Austria19.6
11Norway21.0
12Slovenia21.3
13UK21.5
Europe Avg41.2
q=49.
Modernity & Learning (2020)47
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank47
1Finland8.4
2Taiwan10.0
3Switzerland15.1
4Estonia15.8
5Denmark16.0
6Belgium16.1
7Czechia16.7
8New Zealand17.6
9Sweden18.6
10Germany18.6
11Australia19.2
12Iceland19.6
World Avg83.2
q=205.

Modernity and Education:

Research & Development
Higher is better
Pos.2016
% RDP PPP
1S. Korea4.2948
2Israel4.1148
3Japan3.5848
4Finland3.1748
5Sweden3.1648
6Denmark3.0548
7Taiwan3.0148
8Austria3.0049
9Switzerland2.9650
10Germany2.8448
11USA2.7451
12Belgium2.4648
Europe Avg1.32
World Avg0.84
q=126.
Secondary Education
Higher is better
52
Pos.201852
1=Luxembourg100.0%
1=Estonia100.0%
1=Austria100.0%
...
16Hungary97.2%
17Palau97.1%
18New Zealand96.9%
19Switzerland96.5%
20Moldova96.4%
21Germany96.3%
22Russia95.9%
23Croatia95.7%
Europe Avg88.3%
World Avg63.0%
q=169.
Length of Schooling
Higher is better
53
Pos.2021
Years53
1Australia21.1
2New Zealand20.3
3Greece20.0
...
24Costa Rica16.5
25Singapore16.5
26S. Korea16.5
27Switzerland16.5
28Canada16.4
29Bahrain16.3
30Lithuania16.3
31USA16.3
Europe Avg16.1
World Avg13.5
q=193.
Intellectual Endeavours
Lower is better
35
Pos.2017
Rank35
1Ukraine1
2Czechia2
3Hungary3
...
8Netherlands8
9Belgium9
10Slovenia10
11Switzerland11
12New Zealand12
13Latvia13
14Bulgaria14
15Iceland15
Europe Avg31.3
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Maths, Science & Reading
Higher is better
54
Pos.2015
Score54
1Singapore1655
2Hong Kong1598
3Japan1586
...
12=Slovenia1528
13Germany1524
14=Netherlands1524
15Switzerland1519
16New Zealand1517
17=Norway1513
17=Denmark1513
19Poland1511
Europe Avg1417
World Avg1389
q=70.
Religiosity
Lower is better
55
Pos.2018
%55
1China3
2Estonia6
3Czechia7
4=Switzerland9
4=Denmark9
6Germany10
7=UK10
7=Sweden10
7=Japan10
7=Finland10
11Latvia11
12=France11
Europe Avg25.8
World Avg54.3
q=106.
IQ
Higher is better56
Pos.200656
1=Hong Kong108
1=Singapore108
3S. Korea106
4=Japan105
4=Taiwan105
4=China105
7Italy102
8=Iceland101
8=Switzerland101
8=Mongolia101
11Netherlands100
12=Norway100
Europe Avg96.6
World Avg85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users
Higher is better
57
Pos.201657
1Iceland100%
2Faroe Islands99%
3Norway98%
...
23Czechia88%
24Germany88%
25Aruba88%
26Switzerland87%
27France86%
28S. Korea86%
29Australia85%
30Bahamas85%
Europe Avg76.7%
World Avg48.1%
q=201.
IT Security
Lower is better
58
Pos.201358
1=Ireland0.11
1=Luxembourg0.11
1=Belize0.11
...
19Romania0.52
20Turkey0.52
21Poland0.55
22Switzerland0.55
23S. Korea0.56
24Australia0.63
25Libya0.63
26Qatar0.65
Europe Avg0.80
World Avg0.98
IPv6 Uptake
Higher is better
59
Pos.2017
Ratio59
1Belgium55.4
2Germany41.8
3Switzerland35.1
4USA35.0
5Greece33.5
6Luxembourg32.4
7India26.8
8Portugal26.6
9Ireland26.1
10UK24.7
11Japan22.1
12France18.8
Europe Avg8.11
World Avg3.82
q=176.

8. National Culture

#charity #corruption #happiness #morals #politics

World Giving Index
Higher is better
60
Pos.2022
%60
1Indonesia68.0
2Kenya61.0
3USA59.0
...
73=Uzbekistan38.0
73=Chile38.0
73=Mali38.0
76Switzerland37.0
77=Finland37.0
77=Hong Kong37.0
77=Cameroon37.0
77=Iraq37.0
Europe Avg39.0
World Avg39.6
q=125.
Corruption
Higher is better
61
Pos.2022
Points61
1Denmark90.0
2=Finland87.0
2=New Zealand87.0
4Norway84.0
5=Singapore83.0
5=Sweden83.0
7Switzerland82.0
8Netherlands80.0
9Germany79.0
10=Ireland77.0
10=Luxembourg77.0
12Hong Kong76.0
Europe Avg57.61
World Avg42.98
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 better
62
Pos.2018
Score62
1Finland7.6
2Norway7.6
3Denmark7.6
4Iceland7.5
5Switzerland7.5
6Netherlands7.4
7Canada7.3
8New Zealand7.3
9Sweden7.3
10Australia7.3
11Israel7.2
12Austria7.1
Europe Avg6.06
World Avg5.38
q=156.
Creativity & Culture
Lower is better
35
Pos.2017
Rank35
1Belgium1
2Netherlands2
3Estonia3
4Switzerland4
5Sweden5
6Denmark6
7Austria7
8Ireland8
9Czechia9
10Luxembourg10
11UK11
12Portugal12
Europe Avg35.0
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Open Trading, Aid & Development
Lower is better
35
Pos.2017
Rank35
1Ireland1
2Denmark2
3Sweden3
4Netherlands4
5Switzerland5
6Serbia6
7Belgium7
8Norway8
9Finland9
10Croatia10
11Georgia11
12Philippines12
Europe Avg42.6
World Avg82.0
q=163.

9. Peace Versus Instability

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

Global Peace Index
Lower is better
63
Pos.2023
Score63
1Iceland1.12
2Denmark1.31
3Ireland1.31
...
7Portugal1.33
8Slovenia1.33
9Japan1.34
10Switzerland1.34
11Canada1.35
12Czechia1.38
13Finland1.40
14Croatia1.45
Europe Avg1.70
World Avg2.07
q=163.
Peacekeeping & Security
Lower is better
35
Pos.2017
Rank35
1Samoa1
2S. Africa2
3Tunisia3
...
41Canada41
42Azerbaijan42
43Senegal43
44Switzerland44
45Bolivia45
46Burkina Faso46
47Philippines47
48UK48
Europe Avg84.6
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Refugees & UN Treaties
Lower is better
35
Pos.2017
Rank35
1Austria1
2Germany2
3Netherlands3
...
7Norway7
8Finland8
9Denmark9
10Switzerland10
11Canada11
12UK12
13Belgium13
14Italy14
Europe Avg37.8
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Impact of Terrorism
Lower is better
64
Pos.2019
Score64
1Togo0.00
2Mongolia0.00
3Swaziland0.00
...
30Uruguay0.17
31Dominican Rep.0.18
32Hungary0.18
33Switzerland0.19
34Latvia0.23
35S. Korea0.30
36Macedonia0.30
37Zambia0.31
Europe Avg1.62
World Avg2.78
q=150.

10. Economic Inequality and Poverty

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

Inequality in Life Expectancy
Lower is better65
Pos.201965
1Iceland2.40
2=Singapore2.50
2=Hong Kong2.50
...
16Ireland3.40
17Portugal3.50
18=Greece3.50
18=Switzerland3.50
20Belgium3.60
21=Estonia3.60
21=Montenegro3.60
21=Cyprus3.60
Europe Avg4.86
World Avg14.59
q=184.
Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient)
Lower is better
66
Pos.2017
%66
1Ukraine25.0
2=Belarus25.4
2=Slovenia25.4
...
32Montenegro31.9
33Japan32.1
34=Mongolia32.3
34=Switzerland32.3
36Bangladesh32.4
37Mauritania32.6
38=France32.7
38=Estonia32.7
Europe Avg31.5
World Avg38.1
q=152.

11. Religion and Beliefs

#belief #buddhism #christianity #god #hinduism #islam #judaism #religion #religiosity #secularisation

Religiosity (2018)55
Pos.Lower is better
%55
1China3
2Estonia6
3Czechia7
4=Switzerland9
4=Denmark9
6Germany10
7=UK10
7=Sweden10
7=Japan10
7=Finland10
11Latvia11
12=France11
12=Belgium11
14Austria12
15Hungary14
16Albania15
17=Lithuania16
17=S. Korea16
17=Russia16
20Australia18
World Avg54.3
q=106.
Disbelief In God (2007)67
Pos.Higher is better
%67
1Vietnam81
2Japan65
3Sweden64
...
26=Mongolia20
27Austria18
28=Slovakia17
28=Switzerland17
28=Belarus17
31Greece16
32=Iceland16
33Spain15
34=Israel15
35Armenia14
36=Lithuania13
36=Singapore13
38Kazakhstan12
39=China12
39=Uruguay12
41USA10
World Avg9.9
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 below68:

Christian81.3%
Muslim5.5%
Hindu0.4%
Buddhist0.4%
Folk Religion0.1%
Jewish0.3%
Unaffiliated11.9%

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:

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)69.

Switzerland has a long history of religious tolerance70. But things still need improving in several areas. The International Humanist and Ethical Union produced a report in 2012 entitled "Freedom of Thought" (2012)71, 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)72

Links: