The Swiss voice in the world since 1935

Swiss lower economic growth forecasts due to war and inflation

Zurich Paradeplatz
SECO lowered this year’s GDP growth forecast from 2.8% (in March) to 2.6%. © Keystone / Gaetan Bally

The Swiss Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) has downgraded its economic growth forecast for 2022 to 2.6% due to the war in Ukraine and uncertainties in China.

“The Swiss economy made a solid start to the year, but prospects for the international environment have waned,” SECO saidExternal link on Wednesday. “In particular, the global economy is at risk from the war in Ukraine and developments in China.”

“The war in Ukraine could have a more severe impact than previously expected,” it added.

SECO lowered this year’s GDP growth forecast from 2.8% (in March) to 2.6%. This was also partly due to rising prices for food and energy, it said.

It also cut its forecast for GDP growth in 2023 to 1.9% from the 2.0% rate it previously expected.

“The outlook for the international economy has deteriorated. World market prices have risen sharply for key Russian and Ukrainian exports, such as energy resources and certain food staples and animal feeds,” said SECO.

The resulting inflationary pressure is curbing demand in major trading partners, with adverse effects on exposed sectors of the Swiss economy.

“At the same time, China’s drastic pandemic containment measures are likely to weigh heavily on its economy,” it added.

External Content

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

Tourists spent more last year

More

Tourist spending in Switzerland grew in 2024

This content was published on Visitors to Switzerland spent CHF19.6 billion ($23.9 billion) last year, a 2.2% rise compared to the previous year, the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) said on Monday.

Read more: Tourist spending in Switzerland grew in 2024
Swiss population remains in a spending mood despite crises

More

Swiss consumer sentiment remains positive despite crises

This content was published on Despite the current tense economic situation, Swiss consumer sentiment remains positive. The Swiss spent more money in May than the previous year, particularly on restaurant visits and leisure activities, as shown by the latest figures released by PostFinance.

Read more: Swiss consumer sentiment remains positive despite crises
Bear kills four sheep near Scuol GR

More

Bear kills sheep in southeastern Switzerland

This content was published on A bear killed four sheep in the Lower Engadine region near Scuol, canton Graubünden, last week. This was the first bear attack on local livestock in four years.

Read more: Bear kills sheep in southeastern Switzerland
Economists lower their expectations for economic growth in 2026

More

Swiss economists lower growth forecast for 2026

This content was published on Experts believe that economic development in Switzerland will be weaker in 2026 than the forecasts made three months ago. They have also lowered their predictions for the current year.

Read more: Swiss economists lower growth forecast for 2026
Fewer and fewer people are attending religious events

More

Survey: more Swiss reject organised religion

This content was published on Fewer people in Switzerland have a religious affiliation and the proportion who practice their religion regularly is steadily declining, a survey finds.

Read more: Survey: more Swiss reject organised religion
Trees cool cities better than previously assumed

More

Study: trees have major cooling effect even in extreme heat

This content was published on Plane trees in cities have an important cooling effect even in extreme heat, according to a new study by the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL). 

Read more: Study: trees have major cooling effect even in extreme heat
The panorama of the Battle of Murten is digitised

More

EPFL launches digitised version of Battle of Murten panorama

This content was published on To mark the anniversary of the Battle of Murten on 22 June 1476, the Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) has launched a website that offers the public an immersive experience of the huge panorama painting of the historic battle. 

Read more: EPFL launches digitised version of Battle of Murten panorama

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

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.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR