Government budget and revenue in Aargau (Nordwestschweiz, Switzerland): official figures
In 2024 the cantonal government of Aargau spent CHF 6.2 billion in total, or CHF 8,387 per resident, 2nd lowest of 26 cantons (all cantons: CHF 12,109 per resident).
Does Aargau have a budget deficit?
Revenue of the cantonal government of Aargau came to CHF 6.4 billion in 2024, leaving a financing surplus of CHF 189.87 million (3.1% of spending).
Source: Federal Finance Administration (EFV/AFF) · saved copyHow much tax does Aargau collect?
Taxes raised CHF 3.0 billion for the cantonal government of Aargau in 2024, CHF 4,071 per resident and 47.1% of all revenue; that is 6th lowest of 26 cantons on cantonal tax per head.
Source: Federal Finance Administration (EFV/AFF) · saved copyDoes Aargau receive money from fiscal equalisation?
Through fiscal and burden equalisation Aargau was a net receiver in 2024: equalisation payments received exceeded those paid by CHF 441.55 million, about CHF 600 per resident.
Source: Federal Finance Administration (EFV/AFF) · saved copyHow much debt does Aargau have?
At the end of 2024 the financial assets of the cantonal government of Aargau exceeded its liabilities by CHF 584.63 million, a net wealth of CHF 795 per resident, so it had no net debt (9th lowest of 26 cantons on net debt per head).
Source: Federal Finance Administration (EFV/AFF) · saved copyMore figures
- Direct taxes on individuals (income and wealth tax) brought Aargau CHF 2.1 billion in 2024, against CHF 463.31 million from direct taxes on companies, so companies paid 17.7% of the two combined. Source: Federal Finance Administration (EFV/AFF) · saved copy
- Transfer revenue, mainly federal grants, revenue shares and equalisation, made up 38.5% of the revenue of the cantonal government of Aargau in 2024 (CHF 2.4 billion). Source: Federal Finance Administration (EFV/AFF) · saved copy
- Spending per resident by the cantonal government of Aargau rose by 12.2% in five years, from CHF 7,474 in 2019 to CHF 8,387 in 2024. Source: Federal Finance Administration (EFV/AFF) · saved copy
- Personnel costs, including teachers' salaries of CHF 1.0 billion, took 31.8% of cantonal spending in Aargau in 2024. Source: Federal Finance Administration (EFV/AFF) · saved copy
How Aargau compares with other cantons in Switzerland
Cantonal government spending per resident (CHF) (2024)
Aargau ranks 25 of 26, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Cantonal government spending per resident (CHF) |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | St. Gallen | CHF 9,879 |
| 21 | Obwalden | CHF 9,831 |
| 22 | Luzern | CHF 9,528 |
| 23 | Schwyz | CHF 9,520 |
| 24 | Solothurn | CHF 9,146 |
| 25 | Aargau | CHF 8,387 |
| 26 | Thurgau | CHF 8,343 |
Cantonal tax revenue per resident (CHF) (2024)
Aargau ranks 21 of 26, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Cantonal tax revenue per resident (CHF) |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Fribourg / Freiburg | CHF 4,426 |
| 19 | Valais / Wallis | CHF 4,396 |
| 20 | Appenzell Ausserrhoden | CHF 4,336 |
| 21 | Aargau | CHF 4,071 |
| 22 | Solothurn | CHF 3,826 |
| 23 | Obwalden | CHF 3,437 |
| 24 | Thurgau | CHF 3,326 |
Cantonal net debt I per resident (CHF; negative = net wealth) (2024)
Aargau ranks 18 of 26, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Cantonal net debt I per resident (CHF; negative = net wealth) |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Luzern | CHF 195 |
| 16 | Nidwalden | CHF -602 |
| 17 | St. Gallen | CHF -741 |
| 18 | Aargau | CHF -795 |
| 19 | Fribourg / Freiburg | CHF -810 |
| 20 | Glarus | CHF -2,024 |
| 21 | Vaud | CHF -2,519 |
Net fiscal and burden equalisation received per resident (CHF; negative = net payer) (2024)
Aargau ranks 12 of 26, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Net fiscal and burden equalisation received per resident (CHF; negative = net payer) |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Graubünden / Grigioni / Grischun | CHF 947 |
| 10 | Appenzell Ausserrhoden | CHF 754 |
| 11 | Thurgau | CHF 647 |
| 12 | Aargau | CHF 600 |
| 13 | Appenzell Innerrhoden | CHF 243 |
| 14 | St. Gallen | CHF 209 |
| 15 | Ticino | CHF 199 |
More on Aargau: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government and politics · Nordwestschweiz · 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.