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.

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At what point does someone belong in Switzerland?

This content was published on Apr 9, 2026 The initiative to cap the Swiss population at 10 million is not just about how much growth a country can absorb – it also raises the question of who gets to count as being fully part.

Zurich hotline for victims of violence is "actively used"

Domestic violence hotline in Zurich sees strong demand

This content was published on Apr 8, 2026 Zurich’s hotline for victims of violence is being “well used”, according to the Cantonal Justice Director Jacqueline Fehr. Demand is high at night.

Around 3000 gender entries changed since simplified procedure

Switzerland records 3,000 gender entry changes in civil register since 2022

This content was published on Apr 2, 2026 In 2025, 574 people in Switzerland had their gender entry changed in the civil status register, provisional data shows. Such a change has been possible since 2022.

Population: the proportion of seniors exceeds that of young people in Switzerland

In Switzerland, seniors now outnumber young people, new data shows

This content was published on Apr 2, 2026 For the first time, those aged 65 or over outnumber people under 20 in Switzerland, provisional data released by the Federal Statistical Office shows.

Three quarters of Swiss use AI tools in their daily lives

Three-quarters of Swiss use AI in everyday life: survey

This content was published on Apr 2, 2026 More than three-quarters of the Swiss adult population (76%) use AI tools in their daily lives, an increase compared to a year ago, a new Comparis survey shows.

Nick Cave, Sting, Moby, RAYE, Tyla and Deep Purple at Montreux Jazz

Nick Cave, Sting, Moby and more join 60th Montreux Jazz Festival

This content was published on Mar 31, 2026 Nick Cave, Sting, and Moby headline the Montreux Jazz Festival’s 60th anniversary.

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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374 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.

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Justice in sight for the Swiss convicted for helping the Resistance

This content was published on Mar 29, 2026 The Swiss parliament has taken steps to rehabilitate those convicted by Swiss courts for supporting the French and Italian Resistance during the Second World War.

Why more young Swiss men are opting for a vasectomy

This content was published on Mar 26, 2026 Children? No thanks! The stories of two Swiss men who opted for a vasectomy in their early twenties illustrate a wider trend.

How could birth rates best be boosted?

Many countries have seen a downturn in births in recent years. How could governments encourage people to have more kids – or should they do anything?

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Mar 26, 2026

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34 Comments

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Roman cargo found at the bottom of Lake Neuchâtel

Roman-era ship cargo discovered in Lake Neuchâtel

This content was published on Mar 25, 2026 Roman-era artefacts have been discovered at the bottom of Lake Neuchâtel.

The dramatic freezing of Ferdinand Marcos’s assets in Switzerland

This content was published on Mar 24, 2026 Forty years ago Switzerland froze the assets of toppled Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos – a turning point regarding assets of politically exposed people.

Switzerland’s queer community fears rollback of LGBTIQ+ rights

This content was published on Mar 21, 2026 Campaigns targeting the LGBTIQ+ community in the United States are also affecting Switzerland.

Silhouettes of people wearing rainbow-coloured umbrellas.

Seven graphics showing how LGBTIQ+ people are doing in Switzerland

This content was published on Mar 21, 2026 What is it like to live as a queer person in Switzerland? A study sheds light on discrimination, coming out, and self-harm.

Confederation expects poorer finances due to 13th AHV pension

Swiss authorities expect poorer finances due to additional pension payments

This content was published on Mar 19, 2026 The outlook for Switzerland’s public finances has deteriorated for 2026 and 2027 due to the introduction of the 13th pension payment and an expected deficit in unemployment insurance.

Basel-Stadt takes positive stock after three years of cannabis dispensing

Swiss city draws positive results after three years of controlled cannabis sales

This content was published on Mar 19, 2026 Thanks to the Weed Care pilot project, the inhalation of smoke from joints containing tobacco has fallen significantly, the Basel City health department said.

Road traffic causes fewer deaths and more injuries in 2025

Fewer deaths, more injuries recorded on Swiss roads

This content was published on Mar 19, 2026 In 2025, 214 people lost their lives on Swiss roads, 36 fewer than in the previous year, the Federal Roads Office said.

Parliament wants to allow double names on marriage again

Swiss parliament agrees to allow double surnames again

This content was published on Mar 16, 2026 Swiss Parliament advances bill allowing double surnames for couples.

Aspiring tenants face worst shortage since 2014

Switzerland faces worst housing shortage since 2014

This content was published on Mar 16, 2026 Switzerland faces its worst housing shortage since 2014, according to a government report.

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

At what point does someone belong in Switzerland?

More

Domestic violence hotline in Zurich sees strong demand

More

Switzerland records 3,000 gender entry changes in civil register since 2022

More

In Switzerland, seniors now outnumber young people, new data shows

More

Three-quarters of Swiss use AI in everyday life: survey

More

Nick Cave, Sting, Moby and more join 60th Montreux Jazz Festival

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

Justice in sight for the Swiss convicted for helping the Resistance

More

Why more young Swiss men are opting for a vasectomy

More

How could birth rates best be boosted?

More

Roman-era ship cargo discovered in Lake Neuchâtel

More

The dramatic freezing of Ferdinand Marcos’s assets in Switzerland

More

Switzerland’s queer community fears rollback of LGBTIQ+ rights

More

Seven graphics showing how LGBTIQ+ people are doing in Switzerland

More

Swiss authorities expect poorer finances due to additional pension payments

More

Swiss city draws positive results after three years of controlled cannabis sales

More

Fewer deaths, more injuries recorded on Swiss roads

More

Swiss parliament agrees to allow double surnames again

More

Switzerland faces worst housing shortage since 2014

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