Switzerland: health and care

How much does health care cost in Switzerland?

Health care costs in Switzerland were CHF 97 billion in 2024, 4.1% more than a year earlier, according to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). Almost two-thirds of the funding came from households, either directly or through health insurance premiums. Partial data suggest costs rose by more than 3% in 2025.

The figure covers hospitals, doctors, care homes, medicines, prevention and administration. In the FSO's detailed release, costs per person were CHF 10,792, and hospitals accounted for 36.2% of the total. Costs for medicines, therapeutic appliances and consumables rose 6.3%, while spending on prevention fell 15.8% back to its pre-pandemic level.

Official sources: Federal Statistical Office (FSO)

What is life expectancy in Switzerland?

Life expectancy at birth in Switzerland was 86.3 years for women and 82.7 years for men in 2025, according to provisional figures from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). That was 0.4 years more for women and 0.3 years more for men than in 2024. At age 65, women could expect a further 23.2 years and men 20.7.

Life expectancy at birth is the average number of years a newborn would live if death rates at each age stayed as they were in that year. It summarises current mortality and is not a forecast for any person. The provisional 2025 figures may be revised slightly when final data are published.

Official sources: Federal Statistical Office (FSO)

How many people die in Switzerland each year?

71,900 people died in Switzerland in 2025, about the same as in 2024, and 78,200 babies were born, 0.1% fewer, according to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). Births therefore exceeded deaths by 6,300. This natural increase has fallen every year since its peak of 22,900 in 2016.

64.7% of those who died were aged 80 or over. The provisional fertility rate was 1.28 children per woman in 2025, down from 1.29, well below the 2.1 needed to replace the parents' generation without migration. Population growth comes mainly from migration: about 92% of growth in 2025, according to the FSO's population statistics.

Official sources: Federal Statistical Office (FSO) · population statistics

What is life expectancy in Switzerland?

84.4 years: that is life expectancy at birth in Switzerland for 2024, according to the UN Population Division. That is the highest since at least 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 79.5 years; Switzerland is 3rd highest of 52. World rank, highest first: 4th of 193.

What is the infant mortality rate in Switzerland?

The UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation puts the infant mortality rate in Switzerland at 3.4 per 1,000 in 2024. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 3.4 per 1,000, and Switzerland placed 24th highest of 51. Worldwide: 160th of 192.

How many women die in childbirth in Switzerland?

In 2023, the maternal mortality ratio in Switzerland was 5.0 per 100,000, according to the WHO. The peak was 8.0 per 100,000 in 2005 and the low 4.0 per 100,000 in 2021. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 6.0 per 100,000, and Switzerland placed 31st highest of 51. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 166th highest.

What is Switzerland's health spending?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2023, is 11.7% of GDP. Since 2005 it has ranged from 9.4% of GDP (2007) to 12.0% of GDP (2020). It is 2nd highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 7.5% of GDP. Worldwide: 10th of 191.

How much of health care in Switzerland do patients pay for?

According to the WHO, out-of-pocket health spending in Switzerland was 22.0% in 2023. The peak was 27.3% in 2006 and the low 20.7% in 2020. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 22.0%, and Switzerland placed 26th highest of 51. Of 191 countries with 2023 data, 120th highest.

What is the doctor to patient ratio in Switzerland?

The WHO puts the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Switzerland at 4.5 per 1,000 in 2022. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 3.7 per 1,000, and Switzerland placed 11th highest of 42. World rank, highest first: 15th of 125.

How many hospital beds does Switzerland have?

In 2023, hospital beds per 1,000 people in Switzerland was 4.4 per 1,000, according to the WHO. No year since 2005 has been lower. It is 11th highest of 23 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 4.2 per 1,000. Of 73 countries with 2023 data, 15th highest.

What is measles vaccine coverage in Switzerland?

96.0%: that is measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Switzerland for 2024, according to WHO and UNICEF. Since 2005 it has ranged from 87.0% (2005) to 97.0% (2020). Europe & Central Asia median: 94.0%; Switzerland is 14th highest of 51. Of 191 countries with 2024 data, 46th highest.