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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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.

The four-metre-long painting "Sonntag der Bergbauern" [Sunday of the Mountain Farmers, 1923-24/26] had to be removed by a crane from the German Chancellery in Berlin for the exhibition in Bern.

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner: a ‘true German artist’ who found peace in Switzerland

This content was published on Dec 14, 2025 Nearly a century after a solo exhibition that Kirchner curated himself in Bern, the Swiss capital is revisiting that show – with some help from the German chancellor.

Healthcare costs and old-age provision concern the Swiss

Healthcare costs and financial security in old-age are biggest Swiss worries

This content was published on Dec 9, 2025 Swiss worry most about rising health costs and old-age financial security,

Lowering radio and TV licence fee would weaken Switzerland, say opponents

This content was published on Dec 9, 2025 Opponents warn that halving the radio and TV licence fee could weaken Switzerland.

A couple look down on the city of Basel from a bar.

Housing shortages – what works and what doesn’t

This content was published on Dec 8, 2025 As living space becomes scarce and prices soar, calls for government intervention grow louder. But which measures truly make a difference? Seven examples from Basel to Singapore.

Irish priest praying standing near ruins.

The IRA priest and his Swiss connection

This content was published on Dec 7, 2025 Bombs in Brighton, timers from Switzerland and secret bank accounts in Geneva. Patrick Ryan, one of the IRA’s leading members, was also a priest.

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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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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Assisted death should be discussed in Swiss schools, say young people

This content was published on Dec 5, 2025 Assisted deaths have risen in Switzerland, but key questions are still avoided, say participants in the parliamentary “Youth Session.” They urge that assisted suicide be covered in schools.

The 1974 Lausanne Congress on World Evangelisation redefined the role of Christianity in Latin America, Africa and Asia.

How a conference in Lausanne changed the Protestant faith

This content was published on Dec 4, 2025 A conference in Lausanne in 1974 permanently shaped the way the Protestant faith was to be lived and interpreted.

AHV2030 reform: without raising the retirement age

Swiss set priorities for pension reform without raising retirement age

This content was published on Nov 26, 2025 Switzerland plans pension reforms to boost funding without raising retirement age.

Poverty: Switzerland has not yet achieved its targets

Switzerland to develop national poverty strategy

This content was published on Nov 26, 2025 Switzerland’s income poverty rate remains at 8-9% according to first national poverty survey.

Further decline in beer sales in Switzerland

Beer sales decline again in Switzerland

This content was published on Nov 26, 2025 Beer sales drop again in Switzerland, with non-alcoholic options rising 13%.

How the far right became a Europe-wide movement

This content was published on Nov 19, 2025 New research shows how extremists rebuilt cross-border networks in Europe and the part Switzerland played.

Approaching the Helvetic way of life: an event centred on the Celts near Vully in 2017.

Why Caesar was wrong about the ‘nomadic trouble-making’ Helvetii

This content was published on Nov 15, 2025 It turns out the Helvetii were sedentary networkers rather than nomadic warriors.

The population in the canton of Zurich will grow more slowly in future

Canton Zurich population growth to slow

This content was published on Nov 12, 2025 Canton of Zurich population growth tipped to slow.

Swiss President Max Petitpierre, right, with the Thai royal couple Bhumibol Adulyadej, centre right, and Sirikit Kitigakara, left, in front of the Federal Parliament building in Bern, Switzerland.

From Lausanne to Bangkok: the life of Thailand’s Queen Sirikit

This content was published on Nov 5, 2025 The late Queen Sirikit of Thailand had a special connection with Switzerland.

The filmmaker poses with the orchestra of the National Infantry Academy during the shooting of "Time to the Target", Mansky's latest film.

Zurich honours Vitaly Mansky: documenting power, memory and the Russian Empire

This content was published on Nov 5, 2025 Zurich is showcasing a comprehensive retrospective of the work of Russian-Ukrainian filmmaker Vitaly Mansky.

Reformed church commissions study on internal abuse

Swiss Protestant Reformed Church commissions study on sexual abuse

This content was published on Nov 3, 2025 The Protestant Reformed Church of Switzerland is commissioning a scientific study to investigate sexual and spiritual abuse in the church.

The sun rises behind a chapel early morning in Ritzingen near Goms, Switzerland

How an Englishman lived as a woman in a Swiss cave

This content was published on Nov 2, 2025 Almost 100 years ago, an English intellectual settled in a remote Swiss mountain village – and transformed himself into a woman.

Life & Aging

Our editor’s picks

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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

Geneva celebrates ‘Escalade’ battle

More

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner: a ‘true German artist’ who found peace in Switzerland

More

Healthcare costs and financial security in old-age are biggest Swiss worries

More

Lowering radio and TV licence fee would weaken Switzerland, say opponents

More

Housing shortages – what works and what doesn’t

More

The IRA priest and his Swiss connection

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

Assisted death should be discussed in Swiss schools, say young people

More

How a conference in Lausanne changed the Protestant faith

More

Swiss set priorities for pension reform without raising retirement age

More

Switzerland to develop national poverty strategy

More

Beer sales decline again in Switzerland

More

How the far right became a Europe-wide movement

More

Why Caesar was wrong about the ‘nomadic trouble-making’ Helvetii

More

Canton Zurich population growth to slow

More

From Lausanne to Bangkok: the life of Thailand’s Queen Sirikit

More

Zurich honours Vitaly Mansky: documenting power, memory and the Russian Empire

More

Swiss Protestant Reformed Church commissions study on sexual abuse

More

How an Englishman lived as a woman in a Swiss cave

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