Switzerland  

Switzerland’s foreign direct investment is high by global standards, ranking eighth overall, and Swiss workers have extremely high access to physical capital, with Switzerland ranking sixth on this variable. Very low interest margins and default rates on loans indicate a highly efficient banking sector. An unemployment rate of 4%, inflation rate of 1%, and, domestic savings rate of 30% of GDP create a stable foundation for the economy. Household expenditures reach 26% of the GDP, putting Switzerland in the top 20 countries on this measure. Raw materials account for an extremely low percentage of Swiss exports, showing the country’s ability to produce high value-added goods and services. In addition, Switzerland ranks 15th with regard to its export revenues relative to the cost of the goods it imports, indicating strong terms of trade.

Swiss entrepreneurs experience low barriers to entry with an average of only six procedures required to set up a business, leading to over 25,500 businesses registered in 2007. The country scores high on the level of internet infrastructure as measured by bandwidth and the number of secure internet servers. In addition, with approximately 89 personal computers per 100 citizens, Switzerland ranks the third highest on this measure. The country is in the top 10 for the highest R&D expenditure, indicating a strong innovation-based economy, and there is also a high percentage of value added within the service industry. However, ICT exports as well as high-tech exports are both low.

Respondents in Switzerland are fully free to participate in political processes and can safely express their beliefs and associate with political organisations. Switzerland has a strong system of checks and balances, scores perfectly on levels of competition for positions in both the executive and legislative branches, and has a fully independent judiciary. The state also has the second most stable political system of any country surveyed, with the last regime change occurring 159 years ago.

Switzerland’s primary enrolment rate of 89% ranks the country 74th. Although secondary enrolment rates are slightly better at 93%, tertiary enrolment rates are only slightly above the global average at 46%, positioning Switzerland 42nd according to the latter variable. The country also performs poorly on gender equity as there are just 97 girls for every 100 boys, ranking the country 80th, worldwide. However, Switzerland has the 15th lowest number of pupils per teacher, indicating small classroom sizes. Additionally, despite the average enrolment rates, Swiss workers are extremely well educated, with very high levels of secondary education per worker and good levels of tertiary education, ranking 8th and 40th, respectively. Educational expenditure in Switzerland is also high at over $14,000 per student, with the country ranking fourth overall on this variable.

Switzerland has an extremely high number of doctors and nurses per capita, earning a spot in the top 10 for this variable. Swiss citizens enjoy extremely long life expectancies of 73 years. Only 3% of the population is undernourished, infant mortality rates are very low, and the country ranks eighth in terms of the percentage of respondents satisfied with their personal health.* Switzerland obtains the highest possible score in terms of public access to sanitation facilities, and 96% are happy with their quality of water.* However, the number of hospital beds per capita is relatively low and the percentage of people reporting that they have health problems or experienced pain on the previous day is near the global average.* About 70% of respondents report that they feel well rested.*

Switzerland has very few security challenges related to refugees or internally displaced individuals, social groups with a history of discrimination or other grievances, or human flight from dangerous conditions. Terror and political violence are essentially non-existent, and there have been no casualties due to civil or war or ethnic violence. The Swiss also enjoy very high levels of personal security. The homicide rate is very low, with only two deaths per 100,000 people per year.* A low 14% of respondents reported having personal or household property stolen, and only 3% reported that they were victims of an assault or mugging.* Overall, 80% of Swiss citizens report feeling safe walking alone at night.*

Switzerland ranks highest in terms of the country’s respect for rule of law and freedom of political participation, and second highest in terms of government effectiveness. The quality of economic and commercial regulation is very high, suggesting a society with well-developed institutions. More than seven out of 10 Swiss respondents express confidence in the country’s military, while a relatively low percentage think local businesses and local government are corrupt.* Swiss respondents also express very high levels of confidence in their judicial and electoral systems.*

Swiss citizens enjoy maximum freedom of movement, religion, and speech. Levels of tolerance for ethnic minorities and immigrants are also high, with 70% of respondents believing that Switzerland is a good place for minorities and 71% believing that the environment is a positive one for immigrants to live.* In addition to tolerance of others, 92% of Swiss respondents are satisfied with the freedom of choice in their daily lives.*

Switzerland scores above the global average on the group membership variables. Half the population is involved in sports organisations, 47% are affiliated with a religious institution, and 30% participate in arts associations. Social trust is high, with 51% of respondents believing that other people can be trusted.* Very high levels of Swiss citizens believe that friends are important and that they can rely on family and friends when in need.* The Swiss also have high marriage rates and demonstrate a great deal of generosity and concern for others, with 34% of citizens reporting that they have engaged in volunteer work over the past year and 62% claiming that they have helped a stranger.* Switzerland is not a highly religious country, as only 44% of the population feels that religion is important in daily life.*

* Data taken from the Gallup World Poll

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