Welfare cases in Switzerland drop despite Covid pandemic
People waiting for food in a queue outside Geneva's ice-hockey stadium - such pictures are unusual in Switzerland and caused media furore.
Keystone/Martial Trezzini
The number of welfare cases in Switzerland dropped slightly last year despite the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a leading organisation for social aid.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch/urs
Español
es
Decrece el número de casos sociales pese a la pandemia
Other reasons are the government measures to help individuals and companies hard hit by pandemic-related restrictions, notably extended unemployment benefits as well as compensation payments.
However, the organisation warned that the decline in cases is temporary, as experts expect an increasing number of long-term unemployed people and the end of the government’s Covid aid programmes.
There could be an increase of up to 14% by the end of next year, it said.
Regional differences
In 2021 the number of welfare cases dropped 1.4% compared with 2019, said the organisation, which comprises representatives of federal, cantonal and local authorities as well as the private sector.
About 268,000 people claimed welfare benefits last year, down from 271,000 in 2020.
There were considerable regional differences, the organisations said. More cases were reported notably in Geneva and Lucerne, two cities where the tourism sector suffered a sharp decline.
Popular Stories
More
Climate adaptation
Why Switzerland is among the ten fastest-warming countries in the world
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?
Rhine could warm by up to 4°C by 2100, scientists warn
This content was published on
The water temperature of the Rhine River could rise by up to 4.2° degrees Celsius by the end of the century due to the warming planet, scientists warn.
This content was published on
The Federal Council wants to explore the possibilities of joining the European Union’s €800-billion rearmament programme without compromising Swiss neutrality.
Defence Minister Pfister stresses importance of Swiss mission in Balkans
This content was published on
During a visit to the Balkans region last week, Swiss Defence Minister Martin Pfister met Swisscoy peacekeeping troops in Kosovo.
Premiere for Swiss Air Force on French National Day
This content was published on
On July 14, the Swiss Air Force will take part in the traditional air parade in Paris to mark the French bank holidays with an F/A-18 fighter jet. This is a first for Switzerland.
Swiss launch competition for memorial to Nazi victims
This content was published on
The victims of Nazi Germany are to be commemorated on the Casinoterrasse in Bern. A competition will be held to determine what the site will look like.
This content was published on
The cantonal police of Graubünden in eastern Switzerland have arrested and convicted five cocaine dealers in Chur within a week.
This content was published on
The Swiss business umbrella organisation Economiesuisse and the employers' association broadly support the package of agreements negotiated with the European Union.
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.
Read more
More
How the coronavirus hurts the socially marginalised in Switzerland
This content was published on
The coronavirus crisis is exacerbating social inequality in Switzerland, experts say. This in turn can become a threat to democracy itself.
Thousands more Swiss residents claim welfare due to Covid-19
This content was published on
Nearly 8,300 Swiss residents have been forced to claim welfare benefits in Switzerland since the beginning of the pandemic.
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.