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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A ‘European disaster’: a personal reflection in photographs on the Yugoslav Wars

This content was published on Jun 29, 2026 Swissinfo photographer Thomas Kern witnessed the wars in Croatia and Bosnia and, for several months, the siege of Sarajevo. A personal retrospective.

Lausanne: thousands turn out for the Romande Pride

Thousands join Pride march in Lausanne

This content was published on Jun 28, 2026 Pride Romande filled the streets of Lausanne, championing “the right to be oneself”, the event’s slogan.

Sherlock Holmes and the mystery of his endless afterlife

This content was published on Jun 28, 2026 What is it about the great British detective that fascinates his devotees so?

Number of EU nationals in Switzerland fell in 2025

This content was published on Jun 25, 2026 Switzerland’s EU national numbers fell in 2025 while foreign workers remain key to labour market needs.

Over the centuries, Basel, Switzerland, has become a major center for art, playing host to nearly 40 museums and to Art Basel, which draws tens of thousands of attendees each year.

How Basel went from art to Art Basel

This content was published on Jun 24, 2026 Basel’s art history predates the world’s most prominent art fair by a few centuries.

New network in French-speaking Switzerland to steer children away from an ‘all-digital’ lifestyle

New Swiss regional network to steer children away from ‘all-digital’ lifestyle

This content was published on Jun 22, 2026 A new network launched on Monday in French-speaking Switzerland aims to limit children’s exposure to smartphones and the “all-digital” world.

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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Truth or tale: are foreign women more violent than Swiss men?

This content was published on Jun 22, 2026 Ahead of the population cap vote, the Swiss People’s Party claimed that foreign women are more violent than Swiss men. Is that what the statistics show?

A board with dummies and name tags; two tags are missing.

Swiss birth rate hits all-time low as new challenge looms

This content was published on Jun 20, 2026 In times of economic crisis, couples put off having children. Now, on top of this, comes an existential fear: will AI make us superfluous?

Parliament increases VAT for the 13th AVS pension

Swiss House backs VAT hike; rejects mixed financing for 13th pension

This content was published on Jun 17, 2026 Swiss Parliament approves VAT hike to fund the 13th AHV pension payment but rejects mixed funding proposal.

Swiss government warns of severe heatwave

This content was published on Jun 17, 2026 Swiss authorities issue top-level heatwave warning.

Dominant images of masculinity are widespread in Switzerland

One in three Swiss young men believes in ‘dominant male’

This content was published on Jun 16, 2026 These men are more likely to condone violence and hold misogynistic and anti-LGBTQ+ attitudes, a new study shows.

A large-scale cannabis study is set to begin in the canton of St. Gallen

Swiss canton St Gallen launches large-scale cannabis study

This content was published on Jun 16, 2026 For five years, around 3,300 people in northeastern Switzerland will be able to buy cannabis legally as part of a major study.

Zurich rejects housing initiatives and is focusing on counter-proposals

Zurich rejects housing, renter-friendly initiatives

This content was published on Jun 14, 2026 Voters in the canton of Zurich on Sunday rejected both a comprehensive state intervention in the housing market proposed by the left and a set of rigid quota regulations proposed by the centre-right.

Foreigners with right of residence should provide civil defence

Swiss House supports role for foreigners in civil defence

This content was published on Jun 11, 2026 Swiss House backs bringing foreigners into civil defence.

Council of States approves mixed financing for the 13th pension

Swiss Senate backs mixed financing for 13th pension

This content was published on Jun 11, 2026 Swiss Senate backs mixed funding for 13th pension payment.

A community service worker closes the door to a civil defence shelter in Switzerland

Switzerland turns nuclear shelters into wine cellars or party rooms

This content was published on Jun 10, 2026 A heavy armoured door leading to an underground room with shower, dry toilet, cooker and bunk beds: welcome to one of Switzerland’s 370,000 fallout shelters.

State Secretariat for Migration cuts over 100 jobs again

Swiss migration office cuts 100 jobs amid drop in asylum applications

This content was published on Jun 7, 2026 Swiss migration office to cut 100 jobs by 2027 amid falling asylum applications.

Cocaine use continues to increase in Switzerland

This content was published on Jun 4, 2026 Cocaine use in Switzerland is on the rise. Men and young adults between the ages of 18 and 34 use the drug particularly frequently, a new analysis shows.

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

A ‘European disaster’: a personal reflection in photographs on the Yugoslav Wars

More

Thousands join Pride march in Lausanne

More

Sherlock Holmes and the mystery of his endless afterlife

More

Number of EU nationals in Switzerland fell in 2025

More

How Basel went from art to Art Basel

More

New Swiss regional network to steer children away from ‘all-digital’ lifestyle

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

Truth or tale: are foreign women more violent than Swiss men?

More

Swiss birth rate hits all-time low as new challenge looms

More

Swiss House backs VAT hike; rejects mixed financing for 13th pension

More

Swiss government warns of severe heatwave

More

One in three Swiss young men believes in ‘dominant male’

More

Swiss canton St Gallen launches large-scale cannabis study

More

Zurich rejects housing, renter-friendly initiatives

More

Swiss House supports role for foreigners in civil defence

More

Swiss Senate backs mixed financing for 13th pension

More

Switzerland turns nuclear shelters into wine cellars or party rooms

More

Swiss migration office cuts 100 jobs amid drop in asylum applications

More

Cocaine use continues to increase in Switzerland

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