Government budget and revenue in Bern / Berne (Espace Mittelland, Switzerland): official figures
In 2024 the cantonal government of Bern spent CHF 13.7 billion in total, or CHF 12,787 per resident, 9th highest of 26 cantons (all cantons: CHF 12,109 per resident).
Does Bern have a budget deficit?
Revenue of the cantonal government of Bern came to CHF 13.5 billion in 2024, leaving a financing deficit of CHF 181.49 million (1.3% of spending).
Source: Federal Finance Administration (EFV/AFF) · saved copyHow much tax does Bern collect?
Taxes raised CHF 6.2 billion for the cantonal government of Bern in 2024, CHF 5,825 per resident and 46.2% of all revenue; that is 9th highest of 26 cantons on cantonal tax per head.
Source: Federal Finance Administration (EFV/AFF) · saved copyDoes Bern receive money from fiscal equalisation?
Through fiscal and burden equalisation Bern was a net receiver in 2024: equalisation payments received exceeded those paid by CHF 1.3 billion, about CHF 1,231 per resident.
Source: Federal Finance Administration (EFV/AFF) · saved copyHow much debt does Bern have?
At the end of 2024 the liabilities of the cantonal government of Bern exceeded its financial assets by CHF 5.7 billion, a net debt of CHF 5,357 per resident, 7th highest of 26 cantons.
Source: Federal Finance Administration (EFV/AFF) · saved copyMore figures
- Direct taxes on individuals (income and wealth tax) brought Bern CHF 4.9 billion in 2024, against CHF 680.37 million from direct taxes on companies, so companies paid 12.2% of the two combined. Source: Federal Finance Administration (EFV/AFF) · saved copy
- Transfer revenue, mainly federal grants, revenue shares and equalisation, made up 41.8% of the revenue of the cantonal government of Bern in 2024 (CHF 5.6 billion). Source: Federal Finance Administration (EFV/AFF) · saved copy
- Spending per resident by the cantonal government of Bern rose by 13.7% in five years, from CHF 11,251 in 2019 to CHF 12,787 in 2024. Source: Federal Finance Administration (EFV/AFF) · saved copy
- Personnel costs, including teachers' salaries of CHF 2.3 billion, took 33.1% of cantonal spending in Bern in 2024. Source: Federal Finance Administration (EFV/AFF) · saved copy
How Bern / Berne compares with other cantons in Switzerland
Cantonal government spending per resident (CHF) (2024)
Bern / Berne ranks 9 of 26, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Cantonal government spending per resident (CHF) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Jura | CHF 13,639 |
| 7 | Zug | CHF 13,464 |
| 8 | Uri | CHF 13,097 |
| 9 | Bern / Berne | CHF 12,787 |
| 10 | Ticino | CHF 12,538 |
| 11 | Fribourg / Freiburg | CHF 12,378 |
| 12 | Valais / Wallis | CHF 12,277 |
Cantonal tax revenue per resident (CHF) (2024)
Bern / Berne ranks 9 of 26, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Cantonal tax revenue per resident (CHF) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Neuchâtel | CHF 6,987 |
| 7 | Ticino | CHF 6,406 |
| 8 | Nidwalden | CHF 6,019 |
| 9 | Bern / Berne | CHF 5,825 |
| 10 | Jura | CHF 5,306 |
| 11 | Zürich | CHF 5,245 |
| 12 | Schwyz | CHF 4,928 |
Cantonal net debt I per resident (CHF; negative = net wealth) (2024)
Bern / Berne ranks 7 of 26, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Cantonal net debt I per resident (CHF; negative = net wealth) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Ticino | CHF 7,366 |
| 5 | Uri | CHF 6,935 |
| 6 | Jura | CHF 5,818 |
| 7 | Bern / Berne | CHF 5,357 |
| 8 | Solothurn | CHF 3,692 |
| 9 | Zürich | CHF 3,006 |
| 10 | Valais / Wallis | CHF 2,603 |
Net fiscal and burden equalisation received per resident (CHF; negative = net payer) (2024)
Bern / Berne ranks 8 of 26, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Net fiscal and burden equalisation received per resident (CHF; negative = net payer) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Uri | CHF 1,477 |
| 6 | Neuchâtel | CHF 1,438 |
| 7 | Solothurn | CHF 1,351 |
| 8 | Bern / Berne | CHF 1,231 |
| 9 | Graubünden / Grigioni / Grischun | CHF 947 |
| 10 | Appenzell Ausserrhoden | CHF 754 |
| 11 | Thurgau | CHF 647 |
More on Bern / Berne: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government and politics · Espace Mittelland · Switzerland
Sources
- Federal Finance Administration (EFV/AFF): Detaillierte Daten FS und GFS Modell: Standardauswertungen (financial statistics of the Confederation, cantons, communes and social insurance, 1990-2024; standardauswertung.csv with its codelist, saved zipped), read 24 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5fec658d1506…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.