People & economy

Switzerland: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

The numbers behind a trip to Switzerland: who lives there, how the economy and prices compare, how many tourists visit, and what healthcare and internet access are like.

Population & Geography

Population
8,516,543
#99 of 197 countries
Area
41,277 km²
#139 of 248 countries
Density
206.3 / km²
#67 of 245 countries

Switzerland has a population of 8,516,543 spread across 41,277 km², giving it an average density of 206.3 people per km². This moderate density means a mix of bustling cities and quieter rural areas to explore.

Demographics

Median Age
44.4
Life Expectancy
83.9 yrs
Government
federal republic (formally a confederation)
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Switzerland is classified as a high income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 106% of US levels, meaning this is an expensive destination where budgeting carefully is advisable.

Income Level
High income
GDP per Capita
$100,624
Cost of Living
106% of US
Inflation
2.1%
Inequality
33.8
Moderate
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$82,000
Unemployment
4.2%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 2.1% of Switzerland's total exports, making it a smaller part of the economy, meaning you may find fewer purpose-built tourist facilities but more authentic experiences.

Tourism Revenue
$9,994,000,000
Tourism % of Exports
2.1%
Outbound Tourists
19,797,000
Air Passengers
27,725,233
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available In Switzerland there are 4.48 doctors per 1,000 people, above the global average, indicating strong healthcare infrastructure.

Physicians
4.48/1k
Hospital Beds
4.38/1k
Health Spend
$11784/person
Infant Mortality
3.5/1k
Immunization
96%
Safe Drinking Water
100.0%
Basic Sanitation
99.9%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Switzerland, 97% of the population uses the internet, so expect WiFi in most hotels, cafes and public spaces. There are 129 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, and local SIM cards are easy to find.

Internet Users
97.3%
Mobile Subs
129/100
Broadband
47.7/100
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data