Switzerland

Life Standard
Switzerland performs very well in many measures of well-being relative to
most other countries in the Better Life Index. Switzerland ranks above the
average in subjective well-being, jobs and earnings income and wealth, health
status, social connections, environmental quality, education and skills, and
personal security, but ranks below average in civic engagement.
The average household net-adjusted disposable income per
capita is USD 33 491 a year

Economic Profile
Switzerland is a peaceful, prosperous, and modern market economy with low
unemployment, a highly skilled labor force, and a per capita GDP among the
highest in the world. Switzerland's economy benefits from a highly developed
service sector, led by financial services, and a manufacturing industry that
specializes in high-technology, knowledge-based production. Its economic
and political stability, transparent legal system, exceptional infrastructure,
efficient capital markets, and low corporate tax rates also make Switzerland
one of the world's most competitive economies. The Swiss have brought their
economic practices largely into conformity with the EU's to enhance their
international competitiveness, but some trade protectionism remains,
particularly for its small agricultural sector. The fate of the Swiss economy is
tightly linked to that of its neighbors in the euro zone, which purchases half of
all Swiss exports.

Unemployment rate:
3.2% (2013 est.)
2.9% (2012 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices):

-0.4% (2013 est.)
-0.7% (2012 est.)

GDP

GDP (official exchange rate): $646.2 billion (2013 est.)

GDP - composition by sector:

Agriculture: 0.7%
industry: 26.8%
services: 72.5% (2013 est.)
Taxation:
Taxes and other revenues: 33.7% of GDP (2013 est.)
Employment Rate:
80% of the working-age population aged 15 to 64 has a paid job.

Demographics:
Population: 8,061,516 (July 2014 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.78% (2014 est.)

Weather Condition:
The weather in Switzerland varies greatly between different places. The
highest precipitation is approximately 260 cm per year. Precipitation is always
more in the western part of Switzerland where often clouds come in from the
Atlantic coast. The average amount of sunshine per year is approximately
1700 hours. The temperature drops about one degree Celsius with every 200
meter (650 feet) elevation gain.