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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Silhouettes of people wearing rainbow-coloured umbrellas.

Seven graphics showing how LGBTIQ+ people are doing in Switzerland

This content was published on Mar 21, 2026 What is it like to live as a queer person in Switzerland? A study sheds light on discrimination, coming out, and self-harm.

Confederation expects poorer finances due to 13th AHV pension

Swiss authorities expect poorer finances due to additional pension payments

This content was published on Mar 19, 2026 The outlook for Switzerland’s public finances has deteriorated for 2026 and 2027 due to the introduction of the 13th pension payment and an expected deficit in unemployment insurance.

Basel-Stadt takes positive stock after three years of cannabis dispensing

Swiss city draws positive results after three years of controlled cannabis sales

This content was published on Mar 19, 2026 Thanks to the Weed Care pilot project, the inhalation of smoke from joints containing tobacco has fallen significantly, the Basel City health department said.

Road traffic causes fewer deaths and more injuries in 2025

Fewer deaths, more injuries recorded on Swiss roads

This content was published on Mar 19, 2026 In 2025, 214 people lost their lives on Swiss roads, 36 fewer than in the previous year, the Federal Roads Office said.

Parliament wants to allow double names on marriage again

Swiss parliament agrees to allow double surnames again

This content was published on Mar 16, 2026 Swiss Parliament advances bill allowing double surnames for couples.

Aspiring tenants face worst shortage since 2014

Switzerland faces worst housing shortage since 2014

This content was published on Mar 16, 2026 Switzerland faces its worst housing shortage since 2014, according to a government report.

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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Federal Council warns against "No 10 million Swiss" initiative

Swiss government warns against ten-million population cap

This content was published on Mar 16, 2026 Swiss government warns capping population at 10 million could harm prosperity and EU ties.

Kunsthaus Zürich presents the E.G. Bührle Collection in a new form

Kunsthaus Zurich presents Bührle Collection in new form

This content was published on Mar 12, 2026 The controversial Bührle Collection is being presented in a new exhibition at the Kunsthaus Zurich.

Dealing with social media is increasingly important for families

Families in Switzerland call for better social media guardrails

This content was published on Mar 12, 2026 Swiss families call for more school support and legal limits on social media according to the latest family barometer.

Exit: 1421 assisted suicides in 2025, 28 in IT and 35 in GR

Exit registers increase in number of assisted suicides in Switzerland

This content was published on Mar 2, 2026 In 2025, 1,421 people made use of Exit Switzerland’s services in the German-speaking part of the country, an increase compared to the previous year.

Grandson: commemoration of the battle and reopening of the castle

Swiss castle reopens on 550th anniversary of Grandson battle

This content was published on Mar 2, 2026 On Monday, Swiss officials commemorated the 550th anniversary of the battle of Grandson, which saw the Confederates defeat the army of the Duke of Burgundy, Charles the Bold, in 1476.

Pay inequalities on the rise in Switzerland

Gender pay gap widens slightly in Switzerland

This content was published on Mar 2, 2026 Switzerland has moved up one place to 20th in a ranking of equality in the workplace, but its situation is stagnating. The pay gap between men and women has widened and the proportion of women working full-time has fallen, a new index shows.

From the monetary chaos of the 19th century to its status today as a global safe haven, this is the story of how the Swiss franc emerged and why it inspires such confidence.

How the Swiss franc became one of the world’s most trusted currencies

This content was published on Feb 25, 2026 From the monetary chaos of the 19th century to its status today as a global safe haven, this is the story of how the Swiss franc emerged and why it inspires such confidence.

Detail view of a thousand Swiss franc note

Switzerland no longer wants to foot the bill for ‘suicide tourism’

This content was published on Feb 21, 2026 In Switzerland, all deaths through assisted suicide must be followed by a medical and legal investigation. This entails considerable costs for the state.

Ketamine consumption is on the rise in Switzerland

Swiss wastewater analysis shows increase in ketamine, crack cocaine use

This content was published on Feb 19, 2026 More use of ketamine and crack cocaine, but slightly less of cannabis and crystal meth: these are the results of analyses of Swiss wastewater published on Thursday.

Swiss social security funds end 2025 with a surplus

This content was published on Feb 17, 2026 Swiss social security funds post CHF50.6B surplus for 2025, but warn of future deficits.

170 years ago, Thomas Davatz left Switzerland for Brazil, in search of opportunity.

The Swiss man who exposed exploitation of emigrants in 19th-century Brazil

This content was published on Feb 8, 2026 Some 170 years ago, Thomas Davatz led a revolt in Brazil that exposed the exploitation of European immigrants to Latin America in the 19th century.

Truth or Tale: Is Switzerland strict when it comes to naming children?

Truth or tale: Does Switzerland have strict laws on naming children?

This content was published on Feb 4, 2026 A reader asked whether Switzerland has particularly strict laws on naming children compared to other countries.

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

Seven graphics showing how LGBTIQ+ people are doing in Switzerland

More

Swiss authorities expect poorer finances due to additional pension payments

More

Swiss city draws positive results after three years of controlled cannabis sales

More

Fewer deaths, more injuries recorded on Swiss roads

More

Swiss parliament agrees to allow double surnames again

More

Switzerland faces worst housing shortage since 2014

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 government warns against ten-million population cap

More

Kunsthaus Zurich presents Bührle Collection in new form

More

Families in Switzerland call for better social media guardrails

More

Exit registers increase in number of assisted suicides in Switzerland

More

Swiss castle reopens on 550th anniversary of Grandson battle

More

Gender pay gap widens slightly in Switzerland

More

How the Swiss franc became one of the world’s most trusted currencies

More

Switzerland no longer wants to foot the bill for ‘suicide tourism’

More

Swiss wastewater analysis shows increase in ketamine, crack cocaine use

More

Swiss social security funds end 2025 with a surplus

More

The Swiss man who exposed exploitation of emigrants in 19th-century Brazil

More

Truth or tale: Does Switzerland have strict laws on naming children?

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