News
2025: A very good agricultural year
In 2025, Swiss agriculture is expected to generate a gross value added of CHF 5 billion, an increase of 9.6% compared with the previous year. Output rose by 4.1%, bolstered by good harvests and favourable overall market conditions for livestock production. Production costs remained stable. These initial estimates for the current year are based on the Economic Accounts for Agriculture compiled by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
Commodity trading generated CHF 19.2 billion in value added in 2024
In 2024, companies involved in commodity trading generated estimated value added of CHF 19.2 billion, accounting for 2.3% of Switzerland's total value added – a figure comparable to its gross domestic product (GDP). The cantons of Geneva and Zug are the main regional centres for this activity. These are some of the results from the new monetary statistics on commodity traders published by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
Issuance calendar for Confederation bonds and money market debt register claims in 2026
The Federal Finance Administration (FFA) plans to issue bonds with a face value of CHF 4.5 billion in 2026. Taking account of bonds maturing in 2026, the volume of Confederation bonds outstanding will increase by CHF 1 billion overall. The volume of outstanding money market debt register claims will be kept in a range between CHF 6 billion and CHF 14 billion. Bond auctions take place monthly, except in August, while money market debt register claims are auctioned on a weekly basis. Auctions will now last only 30 minutes, instead of the previous 1.5 hours.
Issuance calendar for Confederation bonds and money market debt register claims in 2026
The Federal Finance Administration (FFA) plans to issue bonds with a face value of CHF 4.5 billion in 2026. Taking account of bonds maturing in 2026, the volume of Confederation bonds outstanding will increase by CHF 1 billion overall. The volume of outstanding money market debt register claims will be kept in a range between CHF 6 billion and CHF 14 billion. Bond auctions take place monthly, except in August, while money market debt register claims are auctioned on a weekly basis. Auctions will now last only 30 minutes, instead of the previous 1.5 hours.
GDP flash for the third quarter of 2025: Swiss economy contracts
According to the early estimate of Switzerland's quarterly real GDP approximately 45 days after the quarter end ('GDP flash'), Swiss economic output is estimated to have contracted by 0.5% in the third quarter of 2025.[1] Driven by a sharp decline in value added in the chemical and pharmaceutical sector, industry as a whole recorded negative growth. The services sector grew at a below-average rate.Note: The flash estimate is based on early information available on the production components of GDP. Estimates are used where values are not yet available. The result may therefore change once the complete and updated source data become available. The regular release of quarterly GDP figures, including details on production, expenditure and income as well as updated calculations for the previous quarters, will be published on 28 November 2025.[1] Adjusted for seasonal/calendar effects and sporting events
Disposable income in 2023 almost unchanged at an average of CHF 7186 per month
Expenditure by Swiss private households changed little in 2023 compared to the previous year. The average disposable income of CHF 7186 per month was comparable to that of the previous year. A large part of this amount was used for the consumption of goods and services, namely CHF 5049. These are some of the findings from the 2023 Household Budget Survey from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
Declaration of intent between the USA and Switzerland on US additional tariffs
Switzerland and Liechtenstein have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with the United States. On this basis, the United States will reduce the country-specific additional tariff to 15%.
Federal Councillor Cassis meets German foreign minister Wadephul in Berlin
Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, the head of the FDFA, was in Berlin from 13 to 14 October 2025, where he met Germany's foreign minister Johann Wadephul for official talks. The agenda covered bilateral relations and cross-border cooperation, the package of agreements between Switzerland and the EU, and geopolitical matters including the situation in Ukraine and in the Middle East. Mr Cassis also met with the German minister for economic cooperation and development, Reem Alabali Radovan.
After the pandemic: Retreat into creative and digital pursuits, especially among the young
In 2024, visits to cultural institutions and participation in outdoor leisure activities fell compared with 2019, with the exception of festival attendance. Nearly 80% of people would like to have more cultural outings, the main obstacles being lack of time and money. More individual activities like online and amateur creative pursuits have risen sharply, particularly among 15–29 year-olds. The Federal Statistical Office (FSO) presents a first snapshot of cultural and leisure practices in Switzerland following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Fourth meeting of the Switzerland–United Kingdom Joint Committee on the Citizens' Rights Agreement
The fourth meeting of the Switzerland–United Kingdom Joint Committee on the Citizens' Rights Agreement took place on 13 November. The parties agreed not to extend the provision of the agreement that entitles service providers to continue their economic activity in the territory of the other state. This decision applies to contracts concluded before 2021.
FDFA State Secretary Alexandre Fasel holds political consultations in Bern with Austria
State Secretary Alexandre Fasel held political consultations in Bern on 13 November 2025. His talks with Nikolaus Marschik, the secretary-general of the Austrian Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs, focused on current geopolitical developments, bilateral issues and relations between Switzerland and the EU.
President Keller-Sutter holds talks with President Nawrocki and Prime Minister Tusk in Warsaw
During her visit to Poland on Thursday, 13 November, President Karin Keller-Sutter met with President Karol Nawrocki and Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Their talks covered bilateral relations between Switzerland and Poland, the Swiss–European Union (EU) package and broader economic and security policy challenges for Europe.
