Life & Aging

We examine trends shaping Swiss society’s lifestyle and aging, comparing them globally and offering insights on shared questions and issues.

Our editor’s picks

After the first ‘Sarco pod’ death, will Switzerland introduce stricter rules for assisted suicide?

This content was published on Feb 6, 2025 The first death to come about using the Sarco capsule has reignited debate on whether assisted dying should be more tightly regulated in Switzerland.

"It is impossible to fully go back, neither physically nor as a person," says Chris/Nadia Brönimann.

Switzerland’s most renowned trans person no longer wants to be a woman

This content was published on Jan 12, 2025 Chris Brönimann became Nadia just before the turn of the millennium. Now Switzerland’s most famous transgender figure is publicly grappling with regret over that choice.

Growing old in Switzerland

The living conditions and infrastructure for older people in Switzerland are good, including the social and pension system. However, the latter is coming under increasing pressure: while life expectancy has risen significantly in recent decades, there have only been minor changes in the retirement age.

Community corner: latest debates and surveys on Life & Aging

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From the monetary chaos of the 19th century to its status today as a global safe haven, this is the story of how the Swiss franc emerged and why it inspires such confidence.

How the Swiss franc became one of the world’s most trusted currencies

This content was published on Feb 25, 2026 From the monetary chaos of the 19th century to its status today as a global safe haven, this is the story of how the Swiss franc emerged and why it inspires such confidence.

Ketamine consumption is on the rise in Switzerland

Swiss wastewater analysis shows increase in ketamine, crack cocaine use

This content was published on Feb 19, 2026 More use of ketamine and crack cocaine, but slightly less of cannabis and crystal meth: these are the results of analyses of Swiss wastewater published on Thursday.

Swiss social security funds end 2025 with a surplus

This content was published on Feb 17, 2026 Swiss social security funds post CHF50.6B surplus for 2025, but warn of future deficits.

170 years ago, Thomas Davatz left Switzerland for Brazil, in search of opportunity.

The Swiss man who exposed exploitation of emigrants in 19th-century Brazil

This content was published on Feb 8, 2026 Some 170 years ago, Thomas Davatz led a revolt in Brazil that exposed the exploitation of European immigrants to Latin America in the 19th century.

Truth or Tale: Is Switzerland strict when it comes to naming children?

Truth or tale: Does Switzerland have strict laws on naming children?

This content was published on Feb 4, 2026 A reader asked whether Switzerland has particularly strict laws on naming children compared to other countries.

What do you think of Switzerland’s liberal approach to assisted suicide?

What do you think about Switzerland as an assisted suicide destination and how is it viewed in your country?

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Feb 2, 2026

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Topic focus: Assisted suicide in Switzerland

Why assisted suicide is ‘normal’ in Switzerland

In Switzerland, assisted suicide is considered a legitimate way to end your life.

Yoshi travels from Japan to Switzerland to die

This content was published on Sep 13, 2021 A Japanese man came all the way to Switzerland to die. SWI swissinfo.ch accompanied him on the final part of his journey. This is his story.

To what extent do you think assisted suicide should be a legally available option to those who want to end their lives?

Switzerland legalised assisted suicide in the 1940s. More than 1,000 seriously ill or disabled people end their lives with the help of suicide assistants in Switzerland each year.

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Dec 2, 2021

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368 Comments

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A Swiss hospice where people can die with dignity

This content was published on Dec 12, 2023 Many people want to spend their last days at home. “La Maison de Tara” in Geneva offers an alternative to hospitalisation.

Sarco, the 3D-printed suicide pod, was presented in Switzerland for the first time on July 17 in Zurich.

Why liberal Switzerland is opposed to the Sarco suicide capsule

This content was published on Jul 27, 2024 The media hype is huge. Swiss outlets have been reporting on the Sarco suicide capsule for almost all of July. However, cantonal authorities are putting up resistance.

A nurse holding the hand of an elderly woman in a nursing home.

Assisted suicide: death with dignity or ethical dilemma?

This content was published on Jul 29, 2024 Assisted suicide is considered a controversial and personal topic. Does it mean death with dignity, or does it inevitably lead to an ethical dilemma?

Actor Tilda Swinton in a scene from The Room Next Door.

How film and literature have influenced the acceptance of assisted suicide

This content was published on Jan 6, 2025 Powerful stories of assisted dying are etched in our collective memory. Now, a research project from Switzerland is gathering artistic works on the subject.

After the first ‘Sarco pod’ death, will Switzerland introduce stricter rules for assisted suicide?

This content was published on Feb 6, 2025 The first death to come about using the Sarco capsule has reignited debate on whether assisted dying should be more tightly regulated in Switzerland.

More content on Life & Aging

An assisted suicide room, with a glass and a vial labelled 'sodium pentobarbital' in the foreground.

Swiss politicians decide against monitoring assisted-suicide tourism

This content was published on Feb 2, 2026 How many people travel to Switzerland to end their lives? Swiss politicians do not want a precise count. Parliament has rejected a proposal to introduce monitoring.

Democracy initiative not heard by National Council committee

Swiss House committee rejects initiative to simplify naturalisation

This content was published on Jan 24, 2026 Swiss House committee rejects initiative to simplify naturalisation laws.

Half of Swiss local authorities rely on social networks

Half of Swiss local authorities communicate via social media

This content was published on Jan 20, 2026 Nearly 50% of Swiss municipalities now use social media to communicate.

Federal government anticipates increasing shortage of flats

Swiss authorities predict worsening housing shortage in 2026

This content was published on Jan 17, 2026 The director of the Federal Office for Housing, Martin Tschirren, expects the housing shortage in Switzerland to get worse this year.

Zurich doubles spending on synagogue protection

This content was published on Jan 15, 2026 Zurich doubles synagogue security funding to a total of CHF8 million amid concerns of rising anti-semitism.

The most terrifying fountain in Switzerland

This content was published on Jan 10, 2026 If you visit Bern with children, best stay away from Kornhausplatz, where a fountain could well give them nightmares.

The hedgehog is the animal of the year 2026

The hedgehog is named Swiss animal of the year 2026

This content was published on Jan 5, 2026 Hedgehog named Swiss animal of the year 2026 as its habitat faces threats.

Christmas sales expected to rise this year

Christmas sales in Switzerland see upswing

This content was published on Dec 30, 2025 Swiss Christmas sales rose for retailers and supermarkets, but many plan to cut spending in 2026.

2025 Review: six graphics to help explain Swiss trends

This content was published on Dec 26, 2025 Migration, climate change and AI: a selection of statistics from 2025 to help explain how these issues affect Swiss residents.

From magi to kings

This content was published on Dec 25, 2025 A look back at the history of the Three Kings, figures who are inseparable from the Christmas story.

New arrivals make do with the dregs of the Zurich’s housing market

This content was published on Dec 21, 2025 Newcomers from abroad are clearly disadvantaged in Zurich’s tight housing market, at least at the beginning.

Geneva celebrated 423 years of Escalade this weekend

Geneva celebrates ‘Escalade’ battle

This content was published on Dec 15, 2025 Geneva ended its weekend of ‘Escalade’ festivities with a historic procession on Sunday evening.

Life & Aging

Our editor’s picks

More

After the first ‘Sarco pod’ death, will Switzerland introduce stricter rules for assisted suicide?

More

Switzerland’s most renowned trans person no longer wants to be a woman

More

Growing old in Switzerland

Community corner: latest debates and surveys on Life & Aging

Latest content of Life & Aging

More

How the Swiss franc became one of the world’s most trusted currencies

More

Swiss wastewater analysis shows increase in ketamine, crack cocaine use

More

Swiss social security funds end 2025 with a surplus

More

The Swiss man who exposed exploitation of emigrants in 19th-century Brazil

More

Truth or tale: Does Switzerland have strict laws on naming children?

More

What do you think of Switzerland’s liberal approach to assisted suicide?

Topic focus: Assisted suicide in Switzerland

More

Why assisted suicide is ‘normal’ in Switzerland

More

Yoshi travels from Japan to Switzerland to die

More

To what extent do you think assisted suicide should be a legally available option to those who want to end their lives?

More

A Swiss hospice where people can die with dignity

More

Why liberal Switzerland is opposed to the Sarco suicide capsule

More

Assisted suicide: death with dignity or ethical dilemma?

More

How film and literature have influenced the acceptance of assisted suicide

More

After the first ‘Sarco pod’ death, will Switzerland introduce stricter rules for assisted suicide?

More content on Life & Aging

More

Swiss politicians decide against monitoring assisted-suicide tourism

More

Swiss House committee rejects initiative to simplify naturalisation

More

Half of Swiss local authorities communicate via social media

More

Swiss authorities predict worsening housing shortage in 2026

More

Zurich doubles spending on synagogue protection

More

The most terrifying fountain in Switzerland

More

The hedgehog is named Swiss animal of the year 2026

More

Christmas sales in Switzerland see upswing

More

2025 Review: six graphics to help explain Swiss trends

More

From magi to kings

More

New arrivals make do with the dregs of the Zurich’s housing market

More

Geneva celebrates ‘Escalade’ battle

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