Switzerland faces shortage of 51,000 homes, says study
Switzerland is heading towards its biggest housing shortage in 30 years, according to the NZZ.
Keystone / Steffen Schmidt
By 2026 there is likely to be a shortage of 51,000 homes in Switzerland, equivalent to a city the size of Lucerne, according to an estimate by the real estate consultant Wüest Partner, cited by NZZ am SonntagExternal link.
This content was published on
2 minutes
NZZ am Sonntag/sb
Español
es
Suiza se enfrenta a un déficit de 51 000 viviendas
The problem is being caused by a combination of factors: a steadily growing population (currently 8.7 million), a trend towards smaller properties and an insufficient number of new apartments and houses being built – building permits have fallen to a 25-year low.
Switzerland is heading towards its biggest housing shortage in 30 years, according to the NZZ.
The immediate result is rising housing costs for tenants, NZZ says. Although rental increases are capped by law, the shortage is driving up rents. Higher tenancy agreements are only contested on rare occasions.
Switzerland has one of the lowest home ownership rates among the richest economies. Only around 40% of people own their own properties while the rest rent. This makes Switzerland an exception as the proportion of homeowners in Europe is routinely around two-thirds or more.
Swiss tenants are protected by laws that restrict large rental increases, but increasing demand for apartments, especially in cities, continues to drive up rents.
On February 20, the Swiss Tenants’ Association complained that landlords are profiteering by ignoring rules that limit rent rises. It said unscrupulous property owners are swindling tenants out of CHF10.4 billion ($11 billion) a year in Switzerland. The advocacy group wants lawmakers to cap “exploding” rents that is says are squeezing people on low incomes.
This content was published on
The cantonal parliament of Vaud has approved a loan of CHF9.5 million ($11.5 million) for Château de Chillon, the most-visited monument in Switzerland.
Swiss party president Thierry Burkart to step down in October
This content was published on
Thierry Burkart, president of the centre-right Radical-Liberal Party, wants to hand over the presidency in October, around two years before the next national elections.
Climate Alliance presents action plan on 20th anniversary
This content was published on
The Swiss Climate Alliance has presented an action plan showing how Switzerland could make a success of the energy transition and achieve a net zero balance within ten years.
Swiss business group expects export slump after strong start to year
This content was published on
The Swiss economy was still robust in the first quarter of 2025 but is coming under increasing pressure, says the Swiss business federation, economiesuisse.
Five arrested in Switzerland in human-trafficking raid
This content was published on
Law enforcement authorities in Switzerland and Romania have busted a human trafficking ring. They arrested a total of 17 suspects.
OECD significantly lowers Swiss GDP forecast due to Trump
This content was published on
The Swiss economy is likely to grow more slowly in 2025 and 2026 than previously assumed, according to the OECD economic organisation.
UBS economists more confident about Swiss economy in 2025
This content was published on
UBS economists have revised upwards their estimates of Swiss GDP growth for the current year. However, they are more pessimistic for next year, due to the spectre of US tariffs.
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.