Poverty affected 675,000 people including 100,000 children in 2017, a 10% increase on the previous year, according to the reportExternal link (in French) by the non-governmental organisation CaritasExternal link.
In 2014, poverty affected 6.7% of the population in Switzerland, but this has risen steadily to 8% in 2017. The rise comes despite a healthy economy and an unemployment rate (2.6%) down to its lowest level for ten years.
But in 2018 there were 35,000 unemployed people who had used up their unemployment insurance benefits, a figure that has stabilized at a high level, says Caritas. There were also 360,000 people who would have liked to work more but could not find a suitable opportunity.
This affects mostly women, who are three times more likely to work part-time than men. As a consequence, women’s retirement pensions are on average 37% lower than those of men.
Health insurance premiums are also eating into people’s incomes. They have more than doubled in the last 20 years, while salaries have only increased 14% in real terms over the same period. Caritas reports that in most cantons people pay an average of 15% to 18% of their income in health insurance premiums, much higher than a ceiling of 8% originally set by the government.
It found that in most towns the risk of dependence on social assistance payments increases strongly from as young as 46. The risk has increased most sharply for elderly people.
In light of increasing poverty, Caritas calls for reforms of the social assistance system to provide a better safety net.
More
More
Child poverty rings alarms bells in Switzerland
This content was published on
More than 100,000 children are affected by poverty in Switzerland and the number is on the rise, according to Swiss Catholic charity Caritas.
Switzerland abstains from vote on Palestinian bid for full UN membership
This content was published on
On Friday, Switzerland abstained from the vote at the General Assembly on granting the Palestinians new rights at the United Nations (UN).
Protein in abdominal fat could help shape obesity treatment
This content was published on
The study analysed fat cells from different locations in the body, and found that those in the abdomen have unique properties.
North African asylum claims fall after rapid Swiss processing
This content was published on
The accelerated procedure, now out of its test phase, has resulted in a significant drop in applications from North African countries.
This content was published on
The artist's song "The Code" focuses on their journey as a nonbinary individual. It is one of the favourites to win this year's contest.
Swiss climate activists block vehicles near Gotthard tunnel
This content was published on
Around ten climate activists briefly blocked the A2 motorway near the northern entrance of the Gotthard tunnel on Thursday.
Mothers face double-edged sword in Swiss workplace culture
This content was published on
More women in Switzerland are calling for an end to a stigma on mothers in the workplace that is holding their careers and the country back.
This content was published on
Following reader suggestions, we find out if most people calling Switzerland home can afford diamond rings and fur coats or are just making ends meet.
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.