Newly-published statistics for 2017 show that over one-third of Swiss households are now comprised of just one person. Households of five or more continue to disappear.
Though this doesn’t represent an astronomical change since the turn of the century, longer-term demographic and living changes are clear: in 1930, the FSO shows, just 2% of Swiss people lived alone, while over half the population lived in households of five or more.
Today, 14% of the overall population live in homes containing five-plus residents. This accounts for some 6% of all households in the country.
Between the cantons, there are no huge disparities from the average number of persons per household (2.34 across the country), but canton Basel City tops the list of single-person households, with an outlying 46.7%.
As for single-parent homes, also analysed by the FSO, the nationwide average last year stood at 6% of households. Geneva, with 8.9%, had the highest number.
Overall, the figures fall broadly in line with European trends, which also show shifts towards lone-living and smaller households. Across the entire European Union, according to Eurostat figuresExternal link, single-person households are the most common type, at 33.6%.
The average household size in the EU is 2.3, almost the same as the Swiss average. The US figure for 2017 was slightly higher at 2.53.
By contrast, the European rate of lone parent homes is 15%, more than twice the Swiss figure.
More
More
Is Switzerland crowded compared to other countries?
This content was published on
How densely populated is Switzerland compared to its neighbours? The growth has led to many calls over the years to limit immigration.
Has your continent reached its peak or is there still potential for economic growth?
Some regions of the world are on an upward trajectory with the promise of a steadily improving future. Where do you live? And in which direction is your region or continent developing?
Female gorillas prevent inbreeding by avoiding groups with male relatives
This content was published on
Female gorillas do not change groups randomly. They avoid the males they grew up with, thus preventing inbreeding, according to a study by the University of Zurich.
Chinese cryptocurrency exchange Jucoin to set up Swiss offshoot
This content was published on
Zug's Crypto Valley is getting a new addition. The Chinese cryptocurrency exchange Jucoin will set up its European headquarters in Baar, as the company announced on Wednesday.
Natural disasters lead to second most expensive half-year for insurers
This content was published on
The wildfires in California and storm damage have led to the second most expensive first half of the year ever for the insurance industry.
This content was published on
Women in Switzerland are on average the third oldest in Europe - at age 30.6 - when they give birth to their first child.
Switzerland: home to the world’s most expensive crèches
This content was published on
In 2014, Switzerland maintained its position as the number one destination for white-collar expatriate workers, but a study by HSBC bank exposed some major concerns raised by new arrivals. Heading the list was the exorbitant cost of childcare. International studies support the view: Switzerland easily tops the list of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development…
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.