‘Very positive’ outlook forecast for Swiss economy
The outlook for the Swiss economy for the middle of 2021 can be regarded as “very positive”, provided that the containment of the virus continues to progress, the KOF Swiss Economic Institute says.
This content was published on
2 minutes
KOF/Keystone-SDA/SWI swissinfo.ch/ilj
Español
es
Perspectivas “muy positivas” para la economía suiza
The KOF Economic Barometer for May stands at 143.2 – which is 6.8 points higher than in April.
“The slight decline that the barometer underwent in the second half of 2020 has been replaced by continuing strong increases in the spring of this year. Once again, the barometer is well above its long-term average,” experts from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (ETH Zurich) said on FridayExternal link.
According to the KOF, sharp increase was driven by the manufacturing sector and foreign demand, with an “additional positive signal” from the accommodation and food service sectors. It was not all positive news: KOF said slight negative impulses still came from private consumption.
Hotels and restaurants
Public life is gradually re-opening in Switzerland after the relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions – with more easing announced on May 26. Restaurants, for example, will be able to serve both indoors and outdoors from May 31.
More
More
Coronavirus: the situation in Switzerland
This content was published on
An overview of the latest Covid-related information in the Alpine nation.
HotelleriesuisseExternal link, representing hotels, said separately on Friday that there was still “a long way to go” before the sector recovered from the pandemic. It did not expect better results before next year, with the eventual return of foreign tourists.
Economic woes last year
The KOF analysis is in line with a previous prediction by the government: in March its experts said that after a weak start to the year, Switzerland’s economy should recover rapidly from a heavy coronavirus-driven slump to grow by 3% in 2021.
Switzerland’s economy shrank 2.9% last year as a result of Covid-19, the worst annual contraction since the aftermath of the oil crisis in 1975. But official figures showed that the second wave in the autumn had a less harmful effect, with the economy growing 7.6% in the third quarter before slowing to +0.3% in the last three months of the year.
Swiss authorities announce cost-cutting in asylum sector
This content was published on
The government notably wants to improve integration into the labour force, particularly for people with protection status S.
Various leaders confirm participation at Ukraine peace conference
This content was published on
The presidents of Poland, Finland, and Latvia and the prime ministers of Spain and Belgium will be at the Swiss-hosted talks in mid-June.
This content was published on
In the winter season up to April 2024, railway and cable car operators ferried 3% more visitors compared to the previous winter, and 5% more than the five-year average.
Rhine flooding: Swiss to invest CHF1 billion with Austria
This content was published on
As part of an international agreement with Austria, the Swiss government wants to pump CHF1 billion ($1.1 billion) into flood protection measures along the Rhine over the next three decades.
Swiss government proposes CHF10 million UNRWA donation
This content was published on
After months of debate, Switzerland plans to give CHF10 million ($11 million) to the UN agency this year, rather than the CHF20 million initially foreseen.
Swiss study: insects mainly migrate at midday and dusk
This content was published on
A study led by the Swiss Ornithological Institute in canton Lucerne is helping to better understand the movement patterns of migratory insects.
Red Cross: 22 staff killed in Middle East since October
This content was published on
The Red Cross and Red Crescent network in Gaza and Israel has lost 22 staff members since last October, the Swiss Red Cross (SRC) said on Wednesday.
Dortmund’s Kobel is first Swiss goalie in Champions League final
This content was published on
Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel has achieved history by becoming the first Swiss goalkeeper to reach a Champion’s League final.
University students in Switzerland join Gaza protest wave
This content was published on
Pro-Palestinian activists occupied university buildings in Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich on Tuesday, widening the protest movement in the Alpine nation.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Switzerland seeks return to normality with eased Covid rules
This content was published on
As of May 31, restaurants, and wellness centres will reopen, with public events to welcome up to 300 people, the government has proposed.
Swiss economist says Covid-19 ‘winners’ should pay more tax
This content was published on
Should companies that netted their best-ever earnings during the coronavirus crisis be subject to extra tax? A top economist says yes.
Swiss government expects fast economic recovery in 2021
This content was published on
After a weak start to the year, the Swiss economy should recover rapidly to grow by 3% in 2021, the government said on Thursday.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.