Switzerland: cost of living

How much are health insurance premiums in Switzerland?

The average compulsory health insurance premium will be CHF 412 a month in 2027, 5.0% or CHF 19.70 more than in 2026, according to the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH). For adults the average rises 4.9% to CHF 487.60, for young adults 4.8% to CHF 338.80 and for children 4.6% to CHF 128.10.

The average is all premiums paid in Switzerland divided by the number of insured people. What each person pays depends on where they live, their age, their deductible (franchise), their insurer and the insurance model. The FOPH names more treatments, medical and technological progress and population ageing as the main drivers of costs.

Official sources: Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH)

How much does electricity cost in Switzerland?

A typical Swiss household using 4,500 kWh a year will pay a median 26.5 centimes per kWh in 2027, about 1.2 centimes less than in 2026, according to the Federal Electricity Commission (ElCom). That is an annual bill of CHF 1,194, CHF 53 less.

The energy part of the tariff falls from 12.11 to 11.35 centimes per kWh, while the network tariff rises from 10.73 to 10.94 centimes. The median hides large differences: each of about 580 network operators sets its own tariffs, and ElCom publishes the tariff for every municipality. The 2027 tariffs were notified by 31 August 2026.

Official sources: Federal Electricity Commission (ElCom)

How many people live in poverty in Switzerland?

8.1% of Switzerland's population, some 708,000 people, were affected by income poverty in 2023, according to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) Survey on Income and Living Conditions (SILC). 6.3% had been in arrears with at least two types of payment in the past 12 months.

The FSO's poverty line is based on the social minimum used in social assistance, so it is an absolute line rather than the EU's at-risk-of-poverty rate of 60% of median income. Separately, 256,000 people received social assistance at least once in 2024, a rate of 2.9%, according to the FSO's social assistance statistics.

Official sources: Federal Statistical Office (FSO) · social assistance statistics

How many Swiss households cannot cover an unexpected expense?

In the lower middle income group, one person in four lives in a household that could not cover an unexpected expense of CHF 2,500, according to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). Around one in ten in that group has housing costs above 40% of disposable household income. In the upper middle income group the shares are 10.9% and 3.5%.

55.2% of the population belongs to the middle income group, a share the FSO describes as largely stable for 25 years. The figures come from the 2023 Household Budget Survey and the 2024 SILC survey. Housing costs and unexpected expenses are common measures of financial strain that complement the income poverty rate.

Official sources: Federal Statistical Office (FSO)

How fast are prices rising in Switzerland?

The IMF puts consumer price inflation in Switzerland at 0.2% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2022, at 2.8%; its low point was 2015, at -1.1%. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 3.7%, and Switzerland placed 47th highest of 48. Of 165 countries with 2025 data, 150th highest.

How much do people in Switzerland spend?

In 2025, household consumption per person in Switzerland was $46,013, according to the World Bank. That is the highest since at least 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: $11,266; Switzerland is 1st highest of 44. World rank, highest first: 1st of 124.

How many people in Switzerland live on under $3 a day?

In 2023, the share of people living on less than $3.00 a day in Switzerland was 0.1%, according to the World Bank. The peak was 0.2% in 2022 and the low 0.0% in 2009. It is 25th highest of 34 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 0.4%. World rank, highest first: 49th of 59.

What share of Switzerland lives below the poverty line?

In 2021, the share of people below the national poverty line in Switzerland was 15.8%, according to the World Bank. The peak was 16.0% in 2018 and the low 13.8% in 2013. It is 21st highest of 40 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 15.9%. Worldwide: 49th of 72.

How unequal are incomes in Switzerland?

According to the World Bank, the Gini index in Switzerland was 33.5 in 2023. Its high point since 2006 was 2007, at 34.3; its low point was 2012, at 31.6. It is 11th highest of 34 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 31.5. Of 59 countries with 2023 data, 31st highest.

How many people in Switzerland go hungry?

The latest figure from the FAO, for 2024, is 2.6%. Its high point since 2015 was 2015, at 4.8%; its low point was 2019, at 2.0%. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 7.6%, and Switzerland placed 39th highest of 45. Of 135 countries with 2024 data, 129th highest.