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.

Community corner: latest debates and surveys on Life & Aging

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The Swiss associate the birth of their country with 1848 rather than 1291

This content was published on Jul 26, 2026 A majority of Swiss people believe that the country came into being in 1848 with the creation of the federal state, rather than in 1291. They also regard William Tell as a legendary figure rather than a historical hero, according to a poll published ahead of the National Day on 1 August.

Solar Impulse’s round-the-world flight marks its 10th anniversary

This content was published on Jul 26, 2026 Exactly 10 years ago, Solar Impulse 2 made aviation history by completing the first fuel-free flight around the world.

Two young people standing in front of a sleeper carriage at Basel station

Interrail – opening up a world of possibility for young people

This content was published on Jul 26, 2026 The Swiss National Museum’s blog takes a look at the history of the European youth rail pass, launched in 1972 to immediate success.

A woman with two children by Lake Zurich.

Why family support policies fail to gain traction in Switzerland

This content was published on Jul 25, 2026 Family policy in Switzerland lags behind the rest of Europe – in part because of the country’s prosperity, according to political scientist Silja Häusermann.

A brief history of Swiss banking oversight and its scandals

This content was published on Jul 20, 2026 Scandals and outside pressure have shaped Swiss banking regulations – yet powerful financial lobbies have often managed to water them down.

Adults-only campsite: the idea caused an uproar, but it works

Switzerland’s first ‘child-free’ campsite fully booked despite criticism

This content was published on Jul 19, 2026 Switzerland’s first campsite reserved exclusively for those aged 16 and over caused an uproar but is now fully booked.

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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A crackdown on holiday and transit trafficking in Amsteg (UR)

Swiss villagers block holiday traffic to protest congestion

This content was published on Jul 18, 2026 On Saturday morning, around 60 people demonstrated in Amsteg against through traffic and holiday traffic.

The Society of St Pius X, Écône, Lefebvre

Inside the Society of Saint Pius X’s latest traditionalist revolt

This content was published on Jul 18, 2026 The Society of Saint Pius X recently reignited a long-running dispute with the Vatican by illicitly consecrating several bishops in Switzerland.

The bride and groom hold hands in church

The Swiss look to the future with a high degree of confidence

This content was published on Jul 14, 2026 Despite the crises and rising costs, most Swiss people remain optimistic. A new survey reveals that 80 per cent look to the future with confidence, mainly thanks to their social relationships, health and financial security.

What Chile’s 1988 referendum can teach democrats today

This content was published on Jul 14, 2026 We asked our users whether they had cast their vote in what was arguably the most consequential referendum ever held under a dictatorship.

Buy or rent? Find out where you can afford to live in Switzerland

This content was published on Jul 11, 2026 Where do you stand the best chance of finding affordable housing? Where is renting cheaper than buying? Find out using the housing calculator.

Savings may not be enough to fund retirement beyond life expectancy: study

This content was published on Jul 6, 2026 A study by researchers in Lucerne shows that as life expectancy rises, so does the risk that one’s savings will no longer be sufficient in old age.

Record number of abused children taken into care in Switzerland in 2025

Record number of abused children treated in Swiss clinics

This content was published on Jul 6, 2026 Last year, 2,380 children and adolescents were treated at one of Switzerland’s 19 paediatric clinics following a suspected or confirmed case of abuse.

Swiss cantons launch operation against fake police scams

This content was published on Jul 4, 2026 Cantons in Western Switzerland are launching a major crackdown on scams involving fake police officers and criminal networks, mainly based in France.

A view of the sunbathing area at the outdoor swimming pool and the Federal Parliament Building.

A skirmish at a Swiss swimming pool prompts debate on women’s versus trans rights

This content was published on Jul 2, 2026 The case of a trans woman who was escorted out of the women’s section of a popular outdoor pool shows that Switzerland has not yet adapted to accommodate the queer community.

Haile Selassie at the League of Nations in Geneva.

The day the League of Nations failed Ethiopia

This content was published on Jun 30, 2026 Ninety years ago, Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie stood before the League of Nations in Geneva and appealed for help in the Abyssinian War.

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.

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

The Swiss associate the birth of their country with 1848 rather than 1291

More

Solar Impulse’s round-the-world flight marks its 10th anniversary

More

Interrail – opening up a world of possibility for young people

More

Why family support policies fail to gain traction in Switzerland

More

A brief history of Swiss banking oversight and its scandals

More

Switzerland’s first ‘child-free’ campsite fully booked despite criticism

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

Swiss villagers block holiday traffic to protest congestion

More

Inside the Society of Saint Pius X’s latest traditionalist revolt

More

The Swiss look to the future with a high degree of confidence

More

What Chile’s 1988 referendum can teach democrats today

More

Buy or rent? Find out where you can afford to live in Switzerland

More

Savings may not be enough to fund retirement beyond life expectancy: study

More

Record number of abused children treated in Swiss clinics

More

Swiss cantons launch operation against fake police scams

More

A skirmish at a Swiss swimming pool prompts debate on women’s versus trans rights

More

The day the League of Nations failed Ethiopia

More

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

More

Thousands join Pride march in Lausanne

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