Government budget and revenue in Nordwestschweiz, Switzerland: official figures
In 2024 the cantonal governments of Northwestern Switzerland together spent CHF 15.1 billion in total, or CHF 12,231 per resident, 4th highest of 7 greater regions (all cantons: CHF 12,109 per resident).
Does Northwestern Switzerland have a budget deficit?
Revenue of the cantonal governments of Northwestern Switzerland together came to CHF 15.5 billion in 2024, leaving a financing surplus of CHF 326.51 million (2.2% of spending).
Source: Federal Finance Administration (EFV/AFF) · saved copyHow much tax does Northwestern Switzerland collect?
Taxes raised CHF 8.3 billion for the cantonal governments of Northwestern Switzerland together in 2024, CHF 6,695 per resident and 53.6% of all revenue; that is 2nd highest of 7 greater regions on cantonal tax per head.
Source: Federal Finance Administration (EFV/AFF) · saved copyDoes Northwestern Switzerland receive money from fiscal equalisation?
Through fiscal and burden equalisation Northwestern Switzerland was a net receiver in 2024: equalisation payments received exceeded those paid by CHF 250.59 million, about CHF 202 per resident.
Source: Federal Finance Administration (EFV/AFF) · saved copyHow much debt does Northwestern Switzerland have?
At the end of 2024 the liabilities of the cantonal governments of Northwestern Switzerland together exceeded their financial assets by CHF 2.0 billion, a net debt of CHF 1,582 per resident, 3rd lowest of 7 greater regions.
Source: Federal Finance Administration (EFV/AFF) · saved copyMore figures
- Direct taxes on individuals (income and wealth tax) brought Northwestern Switzerland CHF 5.8 billion in 2024, against CHF 1.5 billion from direct taxes on companies, so companies paid 20.1% of the two combined. Source: Federal Finance Administration (EFV/AFF) · saved copy
- Transfer revenue, mainly federal grants, revenue shares and equalisation, made up 29.3% of the revenue of the cantonal governments of Northwestern Switzerland together in 2024 (CHF 4.5 billion). Source: Federal Finance Administration (EFV/AFF) · saved copy
- Spending per resident by the cantonal governments of Northwestern Switzerland together rose by 11.1% in five years, from CHF 11,006 in 2019 to CHF 12,231 in 2024. Source: Federal Finance Administration (EFV/AFF) · saved copy
- Personnel costs, including teachers' salaries of CHF 1.8 billion, took 30.2% of cantonal spending in Northwestern Switzerland in 2024. Source: Federal Finance Administration (EFV/AFF) · saved copy
How Nordwestschweiz compares with other statistical regions
Cantonal government spending per resident (CHF) (2024)
Nordwestschweiz ranks 4 of 7, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Cantonal government spending per resident (CHF) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Région lémanique | CHF 16,557 |
| 2 | Ticino | CHF 12,538 |
| 3 | Espace Mittelland | CHF 12,361 |
| 4 | Nordwestschweiz | CHF 12,231 |
| 5 | Zürich | CHF 11,025 |
| 6 | Zentralschweiz | CHF 10,329 |
| 7 | Ostschweiz | CHF 10,300 |
Cantonal tax revenue per resident (CHF) (2024)
Nordwestschweiz ranks 2 of 7, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Cantonal tax revenue per resident (CHF) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Région lémanique | CHF 9,873 |
| 2 | Nordwestschweiz | CHF 6,695 |
| 3 | Ticino | CHF 6,406 |
| 4 | Espace Mittelland | CHF 5,369 |
| 5 | Zürich | CHF 5,245 |
| 6 | Zentralschweiz | CHF 5,207 |
| 7 | Ostschweiz | CHF 4,303 |
Cantonal net debt I per resident (CHF; negative = net wealth) (2024)
Nordwestschweiz ranks 5 of 7, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Cantonal net debt I per resident (CHF; negative = net wealth) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ticino | CHF 7,366 |
| 2 | Région lémanique | CHF 7,175 |
| 3 | Espace Mittelland | CHF 4,238 |
| 4 | Zürich | CHF 3,006 |
| 5 | Nordwestschweiz | CHF 1,582 |
| 6 | Ostschweiz | CHF -1,974 |
| 7 | Zentralschweiz | CHF -3,035 |
Net fiscal and burden equalisation received per resident (CHF; negative = net payer) (2024)
Nordwestschweiz ranks 4 of 7, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Net fiscal and burden equalisation received per resident (CHF; negative = net payer) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Espace Mittelland | CHF 1,394 |
| 2 | Ostschweiz | CHF 488 |
| 3 | Région lémanique | CHF 435 |
| 4 | Nordwestschweiz | CHF 202 |
| 5 | Ticino | CHF 199 |
| 6 | Zürich | CHF -617 |
| 7 | Zentralschweiz | CHF -796 |
More on Nordwestschweiz: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government and politics · 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.