The Federal Statistical Office (FSO) says the average worker received a 0.9% pay increase in 2022 but saw all of this, and more, wiped out by a 2.8% rise in the cost of goods.
Wages saw the strongest growth of 4% in the chemical and pharmaceutical production process last year, but other sectors saw a decline in pay even before inflation kicked in.
Employees engaged in the manufacture of rubber and plastic goods saw pay packets shrink by 2.2% while electrical equipment and clock makers had to make do with 0.6% less.
Food production workers saw no nominal wage growth at all in 2022 while the industrial sector only increased salaries by 0.7%.
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Salaries in Switzerland
The cost of living in Switzerland is among the highest in the world, but workers also earn among the highest salaries.
A survey by UBS bank in November said Swiss purchasing power has fallen to its lowest level in 80 years – but it paints a more positive picture for wage growth this year.
UBS predicted that the average pay packet will swell 2.2% in 2023. The Swiss National Bank forecasts 2.6% inflation this year, falling to 2% in 2024.
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
Abbot of Saint-Maurice steps down following sex abuse report
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Jean Scarcella has decided to step down as Abbot of Saint-Maurice in the Swiss canton of Valais, the abbey announced on Saturday.
Philipp Matthias Bregy named new president of Centre Party
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Valais National Councillor Philipp Matthias Bregy is the new President of the Centre Party. The delegates elected him as the successor to Gerhard Pfister on Saturday in Bern without discussion.
Global call for active neutrality launched from Geneva
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A number of players have launched a worldwide appeal for active neutrality in Geneva at a time when the major powers are taking a tougher line. The city is competing with Vienna to attract an international congress on this issue in 2026.
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The M'Tongé gorilla has died at Basel Zoo at the age of 26. The dominant male had to be euthanised on Friday morning owing to a parasite infection.
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Swiss Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter, who holds the rotating Swiss presidency this year, has been invited to Paris by French President Emmanuel Macron.
Swiss canton coordinates donations for landslide destroyed village
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The Swiss canton of Valais to form committee to coordinate CHF 57.4 million donations for village destroyed by a landslide.
Body of Blatten landslide victim found and identified
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The body of 64-year-old man, who has been missing since part of the Brich glacier collapsed on the Swiss village of Blatten has been found.
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.
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Swiss face biggest loss of purchasing power since 1942
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Wages in Switzerland are not keeping pace with inflation, and in 2022 the purchasing power of employees has dropped significantly.
Swiss central bank hikes interest rate despite banking turmoil
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The Swiss National Bank (SNB) raised the benchmark interest rate on Thursday by to 1.5% in a move to curb inflationary pressure.
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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.