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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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.

Sperm quality in Swiss recruits remains stable

This content was published on Jun 4, 2026 Contrary to the global trend, the sperm quality of young Swiss men has remained stable over the last two decades, a new study shows.

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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Bern parliament ready to call feminicide by its proper name

Bern parliament approves naming feminicide in crime data

This content was published on Jun 4, 2026 The parliament of the canton of Bern has voted to include feminicide as a separate category in its annual crime statistics.

Blatten: ‘We lost everything, but not the joy of making music’

This content was published on May 28, 2026 A year after a landslide destroyed the Swiss village of Blatten, the Fafleralp Blatten music society embodies the determination to regain a semblance of normality and to look to the future with optimism.

Switzerland among worst in Europe for tackling smoking

This content was published on May 20, 2026 Switzerland ranks second from last out of 37 countries assessed, according to the Swiss Association for Tobacco Prevention (AT).

Photo of young boy eating a corn on the cob.

Overweight rates among Swiss schoolchildren hit 20-year low

This content was published on May 20, 2026 The share of overweight and obese pupils has dropped from about 20% in 2005 to 15.5% today – the lowest level since BMI monitoring began in Switzerland.

Is a Swiss population cap to reduce immigration an unprecedented idea?

This content was published on May 13, 2026 A popular initiative is calling for restrictions so that Switzerland’s population does not exceed ten million before 2050. Is it the first proposal of its kind?

Swiss foundation marks 25 years of ‘baby boxes’

This content was published on May 10, 2026 Exactly 25 years ago on Saturday, Switzerland’s first baby hatch opened in Canton Schwyz. Since then, 31 newborns have been left anonymously at eight locations in the country.

How Switzerland is responding to a growing elderly prison population

This content was published on May 5, 2026 Many prisons in Switzerland are ill-equipped to cater for elderly inmates. Protection from fellow inmates is also a problem.

A view of Zurich and the Prime Tower on a stormy night

Will AI secure or shake Swiss prosperity?

This content was published on May 4, 2026 AI may close the productivity gap left by ageing populations, or instead drive mass job losses and reshape global wealth. Which scenario emerges will depend on choices made today.

Without immigration, the Swiss population would age rapidly

This content was published on Apr 30, 2026 Immigration not only grows Switzerland’s population but slows its ageing – without it, fewer workers and more pensioners would strain pensions and health insurance.

Eight graphs on free movement and the Swiss economy

This content was published on Apr 30, 2026 Since 2002, EU citizens have been able to freely settle and work in Switzerland. What impact has this had on the country’s economy?

The sunbathing area at Zurich’s Oberer Letten lido.

Switzerland expands as Europe contracts and neither is happy

This content was published on Apr 28, 2026 Demographic change and workforce migration are transforming Europe and Switzerland. Profound disruptions are on the horizon.

Demonstrators against femicide and gender-based violence in Bellizona, Switzerland

New Swiss national hotline for domestic violence victims to launch after delays

This content was published on Apr 27, 2026 The national hotline 142 will go live on Friday, as authorities vow to continue tackling the growing number of domestic violence offences.

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

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

More

Sperm quality in Swiss recruits remains stable

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

Bern parliament approves naming feminicide in crime data

More

Blatten: ‘We lost everything, but not the joy of making music’

More

Switzerland among worst in Europe for tackling smoking

More

Overweight rates among Swiss schoolchildren hit 20-year low

More

Is a Swiss population cap to reduce immigration an unprecedented idea?

More

Swiss foundation marks 25 years of ‘baby boxes’

More

How Switzerland is responding to a growing elderly prison population

More

Will AI secure or shake Swiss prosperity?

More

Without immigration, the Swiss population would age rapidly

More

Eight graphs on free movement and the Swiss economy

More

Switzerland expands as Europe contracts and neither is happy

More

New Swiss national hotline for domestic violence victims to launch after delays

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