Government budget and revenue in Obwalden (Zentralschweiz, Switzerland): official figures
In 2024 the cantonal government of Obwalden spent CHF 389.90 million in total, or CHF 9,831 per resident, 6th lowest of 26 cantons (all cantons: CHF 12,109 per resident).
Does Obwalden have a budget deficit?
Revenue of the cantonal government of Obwalden came to CHF 367.63 million in 2024, leaving a financing deficit of CHF 22.27 million (5.7% of spending).
Source: Federal Finance Administration (EFV/AFF) · saved copyHow much tax does Obwalden collect?
Taxes raised CHF 136.31 million for the cantonal government of Obwalden in 2024, CHF 3,437 per resident and 37.1% of all revenue; that is 4th lowest of 26 cantons on cantonal tax per head.
Source: Federal Finance Administration (EFV/AFF) · saved copyDoes Obwalden pay into fiscal equalisation?
Through fiscal and burden equalisation Obwalden was a net payer in 2024: it paid CHF 1.85 million more than it received, about CHF 47 per resident.
Source: Federal Finance Administration (EFV/AFF) · saved copyHow much debt does Obwalden have?
At the end of 2024 the liabilities of the cantonal government of Obwalden exceeded its financial assets by CHF 23.30 million, a net debt of CHF 588 per resident, 13th lowest of 26 cantons.
Source: Federal Finance Administration (EFV/AFF) · saved copyMore figures
- Direct taxes on individuals (income and wealth tax) brought Obwalden CHF 105.54 million in 2024, against CHF 12.90 million from direct taxes on companies, so companies paid 10.9% of the two combined. Source: Federal Finance Administration (EFV/AFF) · saved copy
- Transfer revenue, mainly federal grants, revenue shares and equalisation, made up 35.8% of the revenue of the cantonal government of Obwalden in 2024 (CHF 131.62 million). Source: Federal Finance Administration (EFV/AFF) · saved copy
- Spending per resident by the cantonal government of Obwalden rose by 11.5% in five years, from CHF 8,814 in 2019 to CHF 9,831 in 2024. Source: Federal Finance Administration (EFV/AFF) · saved copy
- Personnel costs, including teachers' salaries of CHF 11.53 million, took 16.5% of cantonal spending in Obwalden in 2024. Source: Federal Finance Administration (EFV/AFF) · saved copy
How Obwalden compares with other cantons in Switzerland
Cantonal government spending per resident (CHF) (2024)
Obwalden ranks 21 of 26, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Cantonal government spending per resident (CHF) |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Glarus | CHF 10,237 |
| 19 | Nidwalden | CHF 9,925 |
| 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 |
Cantonal tax revenue per resident (CHF) (2024)
Obwalden ranks 23 of 26, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Cantonal tax revenue per resident (CHF) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 25 | Glarus | CHF 3,320 |
| 26 | Uri | CHF 2,949 |
Cantonal net debt I per resident (CHF; negative = net wealth) (2024)
Obwalden ranks 14 of 26, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Cantonal net debt I per resident (CHF; negative = net wealth) |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Thurgau | CHF 2,131 |
| 12 | Basel-Stadt | CHF 1,011 |
| 13 | Appenzell Ausserrhoden | CHF 951 |
| 14 | Obwalden | CHF 588 |
| 15 | Luzern | CHF 195 |
| 16 | Nidwalden | CHF -602 |
| 17 | St. Gallen | CHF -741 |
Net fiscal and burden equalisation received per resident (CHF; negative = net payer) (2024)
Obwalden ranks 18 of 26, highest first.
| Rank | Area | Net fiscal and burden equalisation received per resident (CHF; negative = net payer) |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Ticino | CHF 199 |
| 16 | Vaud | CHF 137 |
| 17 | Schaffhausen | CHF -29 |
| 18 | Obwalden | CHF -47 |
| 19 | Luzern | CHF -69 |
| 20 | Basel-Landschaft | CHF -213 |
| 21 | Genève | CHF -380 |
More on Obwalden: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government and politics · Zentralschweiz · 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.