Page last updated on January 31, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
47 00 N, 8 00 E
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Europe
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 41,277 sq km
country comparison to the world: 136
land: 39,997 sq km
water: 1,280 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 1,852 km
border countries: Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km, Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (landlocked)
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Lake Maggiore 195 m
highest point: Dufourspitze 4,634 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
hydropower potential, timber, salt
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 9.8%
permanent crops: 0.57%
other: 89.63% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
550 sq km (2007)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
53.5 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 2.61 cu km/yr (39%/58%/3%)
per capita: 360.3 cu m/yr (2010)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
avalanches, landslides; flash floods
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
air pollution from vehicle emissions and open-air burning; acid rain; water pollution from increased use of agricultural fertilizers; loss of biodiversity
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe; along with southeastern France, northern Italy, and southwestern Austria, has the highest elevations in the Alps
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Swiss (singular and plural)
adjective: Swiss
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%, other 6%
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
German (official) 63.7%, French (official) 20.4%, Italian (official) 6.5%, Serbo-Croatian 1.5%, Albanian 1.3%, Portuguese 1.2%, Spanish 1.1%, English 1%, Romansch (official) 0.5%, other 2.8% (2000 census)
note: German, French, Italian, and Romansch are all national and official languages
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7,996,026 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 15.2% (male 624,601/female 588,725)
15-24 years: 11.6% (male 471,401/female 453,568)
25-54 years: 44% (male 1,766,228/female 1,749,672)
55-64 years: 12% (male 476,495/female 479,642)
65 years and over: 17.3% (male 600,754/female 784,940) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 48.1 %
youth dependency ratio: 21.9 %
elderly dependency ratio: 26.2 %
potential support ratio: 3.8 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 41.8 years
male: 40.8 years
female: 42.7 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.85% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10.45 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.08 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 96
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.14 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 74% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 0.5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Zurich 1.143 million; BERN (capital) 346,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female
total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
30.2 (2010 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 160
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 3.8 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 202
male: 4.21 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 3.36 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 82.28 years
country comparison to the world: 8
male: 79.99 years
female: 84.71 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.53 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
82%
note: percent of women aged 20-49 (1994/95)
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10.9% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 15
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.08 physicians/1,000 population (2010)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5 beds/1,000 population (2010)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.4% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
fewer than 100 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
17.5% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 111
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.4% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 61
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 99%
male: 99%
female: 99% (2003 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 16 years
male: 16 years
female: 16 years (2011)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 8.4%
country comparison to the world: 119
male: 8.8%
female: 8.1% (2012)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
formally a confederation but similar in structure to a federal republic
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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, Bern, Fribourg, Geneve, Glarus, Graubuenden, Jura, Luzern, Neuchatel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Sankt Gallen, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Valais, Vaud, Zug, Zuerich
note: 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 to the Council of States and, in popular referendums where a majority of popular votes and a majority of cantonal votes are required, these six cantons only have a half vote
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 August 1291 (founding of the Swiss Confederation)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Founding of the Swiss Confederation, 1 August (1291)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
previous 1848, 1874 (extensive revision of 1848 version); latest adopted by referendum 18 April 1999, effective 1 January 2000; amended several times, last in 2012 (2012)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts, except for federal decrees of a general obligatory character
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: President of the Swiss Confederation Didier BURKHALTER (since 1 January 2014; Vice President Simonetta SOMMARUGA (since 1 January 2014; note - the Federal Council, which is comprised of seven federal councillors, constitutes the federal government of Switzerland; council members rotate in one-year terms as federal president (chief of state and head of government)
head of government: President of the Swiss Confederation Didier BURKHALTER (since 1 January 2014); Vice President Simonetta SOMMARUGA (since 1 January 2014)
cabinet: Federal Council or Bundesrat (in German), Conseil Federal (in French), Consiglio Federale (in Italian) is elected by the Federal Assembly usually from among its members for a four-year term
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: president and vice president elected by the Federal Assembly from among the members of the Federal Council for a one-year term (they may not serve consecutive terms); election last held on 5 December 2012 (next to be held in early December 2013)
election results: Ueli MAURER elected president; number of Federal Assembly votes - 148 of 202; Didier BURKHALTER elected vice president
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung (in German), Assemblee Federale (in French), Assemblea Federale (in Italian) consists of the Council of States or Staenderat (in German), Conseil des Etats (in French), Consiglio degli Stati (in Italian) (46 seats; membership consists of 2 representatives from each canton and 1 from each half canton; members serve four-year terms) and the National Council or Nationalrat (in German), Conseil National (in French), Consiglio Nazionale (in Italian) (200 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation serve four-year terms)
elections: Council of States - last held in most cantons on 23 October 2011 (each canton determines when the next election will be held); National Council - last held on 23 October 2011 (next to be held in October 2015)
election results: Council of States - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CVP 13, FDP 11, SVP 5, SPS 11, other 6; National Council - percent of vote by party - SVP 26.6%, SPS 18.7%, FDP 15.1%, CVP 12.3%, Green Party 8.4%, GLP 5.4%, BDP 5.4%, other 8.1%; seats by party - SVP 54, SPS 46, FDP 30, CVP 28, Green Party 15, GLP 12, BDP 9, other small parties 6
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): Federal Supreme Court (consists of 38 judges and 31 substitutes and organized into 5 sections)
judge selection and term of office: judges elected by the Federal Assembly for 6-year terms; note - judges are affiliated with political parties and are elected according to linguistic and regional criteria in approximate proportion to the level of party representation in the Federal Assembly
subordinate courts: Federal Criminal Court (began in 2004); Federal Administrative Court (began in 2007); note - each of Switzerland's 26 cantons has its own courts
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Christian Democratic People's Party (Christlichdemokratische Volkspartei der Schweiz or CVP, Parti Democrate-Chretien Suisse or PDC, Partito Popolare Democratico Svizzero or PPD, Partida Cristiandemocratica dalla Svizra or PCD) [Christophe DARBELLAY]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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), 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, Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMISS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Manuel SAGER (since 1 November 2010)
chancery: 2900 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 745-7900
FAX: [1] (202) 387-2564
consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco
consulate(s): Boston
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jeffrey R. CELLARS (since 22 July 2013); note - also accredited to Liechtenstein
embassy: Sulgeneckstrasse 19, CH-3007 Bern
mailing address: use embassy street address
telephone: [41] (031) 357-70-11
FAX: [41] (031) 357-73-44
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the center that does not extend to the edges of the flag; various medieval legends purport to describe the origin of the flag; a white cross used as identification for troops of the Swiss Confederation is first attested at the Battle of Laupen (1339)
National symbol(s):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Swiss cross (white cross on red field; arms equal length)
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "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
note: unofficially adopted 1961, official adoption 1981; the anthem has been popular in a number of Swiss cantons since its composition (in German) in 1841; translated into the other three official languages of the country (French, Italian, and Romansch), it is official in each of those languages
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Switzerland is a peaceful, prosperous, and modern market economy with low unemployment, a highly skilled labor force, and a per capita GDP among the highest in the world. Switzerland's economy benefits from a highly developed service sector, led by financial services, and a manufacturing industry that specializes in high-technology, knowledge-based production. Its economic and political stability, transparent legal system, exceptional infrastructure, efficient capital markets, and low corporate tax rates also make Switzerland one of the world's most competitive economies. The Swiss have brought their economic practices largely into conformity with the EU's to enhance their international competitiveness, but some trade protectionism remains, particularly for its small agricultural sector. The fate of the Swiss economy is tightly linked to that of its neighbors in the euro zone, which purchases half of all Swiss exports. The global financial crisis of 2008 and resulting economic downturn in 2009 stalled export demand and put Switzerland in a recession. The Swiss National Bank (SNB) during this period effectively implemented a zero-interest rate policy to boost the economy as well as prevent appreciation of the franc, and Switzerland's economy recovered in 2010 with 3.0% growth. The sovereign debt crises currently unfolding in neighboring euro-zone countries pose a significant risk to Switzerland's financial stability and are driving up demand for the Swiss franc by investors seeking a safe-haven currency. The independent SNB has upheld its zero-interest rate policy and conducted major market interventions to prevent further appreciation of the Swiss franc, but parliamentarians have urged it to do more to weaken the currency. The franc's strength has made Swiss exports less competitive and weakened the country's growth outlook; GDP growth fell to 1.9% in 2011 and 0.8% in 2012. Switzerland has also come under increasing pressure from individual neighboring countries, the EU, the US, and international institutions to reform its banking secrecy laws. Consequently, the government agreed to conform to OECD regulations on administrative assistance in tax matters, including tax evasion. The government has renegotiated its double taxation agreements with numerous countries, including the US, to incorporate the OECD standard, and is considering the possibility of imposing taxes on bank deposits held by foreigners. These steps will have a lasting impact on Switzerland's long history of bank secrecy.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$359 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$622.6 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$44,900 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Gross national saving:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
31.5% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 57.4%
government consumption: 11.2%
investment in fixed capital: 20.1%
investment in inventories: 0.9%
exports of goods and services: 52.3%
imports of goods and services: -41.9%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 0.7%
industry: 26.8%
services: 72.5% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
grains, fruits, vegetables; meat, eggs
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments, tourism, banking, and insurance
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 120
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.954 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 77
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 3.4%
industry: 23.4%
services: 73.2% (2010)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.9% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7.9% (2010)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: 7.5%
highest 10%: 19% (2007)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
29.6 (2010)
country comparison to the world: 117
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $212.9 billion
expenditures: $212.1 billion
note: includes federal, cantonal, and municipal accounts (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
34.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
Public debt:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
52.4% of GDP (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
note: general government gross debt; gross debt consists of all liabilities that require payment or payments of interest and/or principal by the debtor to the creditor at a date or dates in the future; includes debt liabilities in the form of SDRs, currency and deposits, debt securities, loans, insurance, pensions and standardized guarantee schemes, and other accounts payable; all liabilities in the GFSM 2001 system are debt, except for equity and investment fund shares and financial derivatives and employee stock options
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-0.7% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
Central bank discount rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.5% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 132
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.69% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$534.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.166 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.247 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$932.2 billion (31 December 2011)
country comparison to the world: 12
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$63.82 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$332.1 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18
note: trade data exclude trade with Switzerland
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
machinery, chemicals, metals, watches, agricultural products
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Germany 19.8%, US 11.1%, Italy 7.2%, France 7.1%, UK 5.4% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$296.2 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
machinery, chemicals, vehicles, metals; agricultural products, textiles
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Germany 29.7%, Italy 10.2%, France 8.4%, US 5.6%, China 5.6%, Austria 4.2% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$531.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.563 trillion (31 December 2012)
country comparison to the world: 12
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$955.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$1.381 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Swiss francs (CHF) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
60.18 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
60.42 billion kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
34.57 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
32.25 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18.07 million kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
65.9% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3,613 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
258,200 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 189
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
96,710 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
258,200 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 50
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
7,585 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 86
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
157,600 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 195
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.682 billion cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 67
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8.494 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11.77 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (1 January 2011 es)
country comparison to the world: 195
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
43.36 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.382 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 38
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10.46 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 77
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
general assessment: highly developed telecommunications infrastructure with excellent domestic and international services
domestic: ranked among leading countries for fixed-line teledensity and infrastructure; mobile-cellular subscribership roughly 125 per 100 persons; extensive cable and microwave radio relay networks
international: country code - 41; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean) (2011)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
the publicly owned radio and TV broadcaster, Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG/SSR), operates 7 national TV networks, 3 broadcasting in German, 2 in Italian, and 2 in French; private commercial TV stations broadcast regionally and locally; TV broadcasts from stations in Germany, Italy, and France are widely available via multi-channel cable and satellite TV services; SRG/SSR operates 18 radio stations that, along with private broadcasters, provide national to local coverage (2009)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.ch
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.301 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 20
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.152 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 42
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
63 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 78
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 40
over 3,047 m: 3
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
1,524 to 2,437 m: 12
914 to 1,523 m: 6
under 914 m: 17 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 23
under 914 m:
Heliports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2 (2013)
Pipelines:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
gas 1,800 km; oil 94 km; refined products 7 km (2013)
Railways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 4,876 km
country comparison to the world: 37
standard gauge: 3,846 km 1.435-m gauge (3,591 km electrified)
narrow gauge: 1,020 km 1.000-m gauge (1,013 km electrified); 10 km 0.800-m gauge (10 km electrified) (2008)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 71,464 km
country comparison to the world: 66
paved: 71,464 km (includes 1,415 of expressways) (2011)
Waterways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1,292 km (there are 1,227 km of waterways on lakes and rivers for public transport and another 65 km on the Rhine River between Basel-Rheinfelden and Schaffhausen-Bodensee used for the transport of commercial goods) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 58
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 38
country comparison to the world: 78
by type: bulk carrier 19, cargo 9, chemical tanker 5, container 4, petroleum tanker 1
registered in other countries: 127 (Antigua and Barbuda 7, Bahamas 1, Belize 1, Cayman Islands 1, France 5, Germany 2, Hong Kong 5, Italy 13, Liberia 25, Luxembourg 1, Malta 20, Marshall Islands 12, NZ 2, Panama 15, Portugal 3, Russia 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 7, Singapore 3, Spain 1) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
river port(s): Basel (Rhine)
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Swiss Armed Forces: Land Forces, Swiss Air Force (Schweizer Luftwaffe) (2013)
Military service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
19-26 years of age for male compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary male and female military service; every Swiss male has to serve at least 260 days in the armed forces; conscripts receive 18 weeks of mandatory training, followed by seven 3-week intermittent recalls for training during the next 10 years (2012)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 1,828,043
females age 16-49: 1,786,552 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 1,493,509
females age 16-49: 1,459,450 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 46,562
female: 42,585 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.76% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 352
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
refugees (country of origin): 10,981 (Eritrea) (2012)
stateless persons: 69 (2012)