Country Profile: Switzerland

Switzerland, officially known as the Swiss Confederation, is a landlocked country located in Central Europe, bordered by France, Italy, Austria, Germany, and Liechtenstein. It has a diverse population of approximately 8.86 million, primarily comprised of Swiss nationals and various expatriates. The economy is a high-income, non-EU European market, characterized by a strong banking sector, low unemployment, and significant contributions from pharmaceuticals and precision manufacturing. Governed as a federal republic, Switzerland maintains a reputation for neutrality and has not participated in any military conflicts since the early 20th century.

Geography

Switzerland is situated in Central Europe, characterized by its mountainous terrain, primarily the Alps, and a temperate climate that varies with altitude. The country's total area is approximately 41,277 square kilometers, making it slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey. Being landlocked, Switzerland has no coastline and shares borders with five countries.

41,277 sq km total area.
1,770 km of land boundaries with Austria, France, Italy, Liechtenstein, and Germany.
4,634 m highest point: Dufourspitze on Monte Rosa.
195 m lowest point: Lake Maggiore.
37.8% of land used for agriculture (2023).
32% forested area (2023).
Faces natural hazards like avalanches and landslides.

People and Society

The population of Switzerland is approximately 8.86 million, with a diverse mix of ethnic groups and languages. The country is multilingual, with German, French, and Italian being the official languages. The society is characterized by a high degree of urbanization and a median age of 44.2 years, highlighting an aging population.

8.86 million total population (2024).
74.2% urban population (2023).
83.9 years life expectancy at birth (2024).
10.1 births/1,000 population birth rate (2024).
5.4% Muslim population (2020 estimate).
54.8% total dependency ratio (2024).
22.5% Protestant population (2020 estimate).

Economy

Switzerland boasts a high-income economy, recognized for its banking and financial services. It ranks among the top ten countries in GDP per capita, with a robust export sector focused on pharmaceuticals, machinery, and precision instruments. Although economic growth has slowed in recent years, the unemployment rate remains low.

$936.564 billion GDP (2024).
$82,000 GDP per capita (2024).
4.2% unemployment rate (2024).
$675.059 billion in exports (2024).
$582.554 billion in imports (2024).
24.7% of GDP from industry (2024).
0.7% military expenditures as a percentage of GDP (2024).

Government

Switzerland is a federal republic comprised of 26 cantons and operates under a civil law system. The government is characterized by direct democracy, allowing citizens to propose and vote on referenda. The President of the Swiss Confederation, elected on a rotating basis, acts as both the head of state and head of government.

Karin Keller-Sutter is the current President (since January 2025).
26 cantons make up Switzerland's administrative divisions.
18 years is the minimum voting age (universal suffrage).
200 members in the National Council, the lower chamber of the Federal Assembly.
46 members in the Council of States, the upper chamber.
$153.795 billion government revenues (2023).
$152.488 billion government expenditures (2023).

Military and Security

The Swiss Armed Forces, known for their commitment to neutrality, maintain a significant presence with approximately 145,000 personnel. Military service is compulsory for males, while females can serve voluntarily. Switzerland participates in international peacekeeping missions while focusing primarily on territorial defense.

0.7% of GDP is allocated to military expenditures (2024).
145,000 personnel in the Swiss Armed Forces (2024).
18-30 years is the age range for compulsory military service.
200 troops deployed in Kosovo (2025).
Maintains a policy of military neutrality.
4 operational nuclear reactors (2025).
Participates in various international security organizations.

Energy

Switzerland's energy sector is highly developed, with a strong reliance on hydropower and nuclear energy. The country enjoys 100% electricity access for its population and focuses on sustainability, evident in its extensive use of renewable energy sources.

100% electrification of the population (2022).
55.643 billion kWh electricity consumption (2023).
53% of installed electricity capacity from hydroelectric sources (2023).
34.9% of installed capacity from nuclear energy (2023).
2.915 billion cubic meters of natural gas consumption (2023).
126,000 metric tons of coal consumption (2023).
4.33 million broadband fixed subscriptions (2023).

Environment

Switzerland faces several environmental challenges, including air and water pollution. The country is committed to various international environmental agreements and actively works towards sustainable practices in agriculture and energy use.

33.306 million metric tonnes of CO2 emissions (2023).
37.8% of land classified as agricultural (2023).
32% forest area contributing to biodiversity.
30.1% of municipal solid waste recycled (2022).
Signatory to multiple international environmental treaties.
9 micrograms per cubic meter of particulate matter emissions (2019).
6.08 million tons of municipal solid waste generated annually (2024).

Transportation

Switzerland has an efficient transportation system, featuring a fully electrified railway network and a network of airports. The country emphasizes public transport, which provides seamless connectivity within its urban areas.

5,296 km of electrified railways (2020).
66 airports (2025).
17 vessels in the merchant marine (2023).
10.9 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2023).
Focused on sustainability in transport infrastructure.

Communications

Switzerland has a high level of connectivity, with most of the population using the Internet and access to modern telecommunications. The Swiss Broadcasting Corporation plays a significant role in public media, offering content in all four national languages.

97% of the population are Internet users (2023).
10.9 million mobile phone subscriptions (2023).
3.003 million fixed-line subscriptions (2023).
4.33 million broadband subscriptions (2023).
34 fixed-line subscriptions per 100 inhabitants (2023).
Publicly owned Swiss Broadcasting Corporation operates multiple national TV networks.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Total Population	8,860,574	Estimated for 2024
Area	41,277 sq km	Total area
GDP	$936.564 billion	Estimated for 2024
Energy Consumption	55.643 billion kWh	2023 consumption
Unemployment Rate	4.2%	Estimated for 2024
Birth Rate	10.1 births/1,000	Estimated for 2024
Life Expectancy	83.9 years	Estimated for 2024
Total fertility rate	1.59 children/woman	Estimated for 2024
Electric Access	100%	Total population electrification (2022)
Population Below Poverty Line	15.8%	Estimated for 2021