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

What are your experiences with housing shortages and rising property prices?

Switzerland is steering towards a housing crisis. Are there solutions?

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Apr 25, 2025

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Suicides in Switzerland quadruple among older people

This content was published on Jul 10, 2025 The suicide rate among older people in Switzerland is reaching record levels – for a very specific reason.

Zurich cantonal police introduce fixed online police stations

Zurich introduces online police station

This content was published on Jul 9, 2025 After a one-year test phase, Zurich’s cantonal police are introducing an online police station. Demand is high and the response from the public has been positive.

St Moritz registers ‘summer’ as trademark

This content was published on Jul 9, 2025 The chic resort of St Moritz in southeastern Switzerland has registered “summer” as a trademark under the name “St Summer”. The resort in canton Graubünden is launching a campaign to strengthen its summer business.

Over 1,130 stations accessible to people with reduced mobility

Swiss authorities detail progress on station access for people with reduced mobility

This content was published on Jul 9, 2025 The Federal Office of Transport (FOT) said on Wednesday that 43 stations had been adapted for people with reduced mobility last year. The vast majority of rail travellers (82%) now benefit from easier access to stations, it says.

Swiss house prices rose sharply in June

This content was published on Jul 9, 2025 The prices of homes and apartments in Switzerland rose again in June. In the Lake Geneva region, prices of detached houses rose sharply. Meanwhile, in Zurich and its surrounding region the opposite trend was observed.

Crowded airports expected in Switzerland this summer

This content was published on Jul 9, 2025 Switzerland’s main airports are preparing for a busy summer holiday period. A number of changes have been introduced to improve passenger flows that are expected to be well above average in July and August.

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.

More content on Life & Aging

Delegates inside the meeting hall in Locarno, 1925

Forgotten Swiss peace pact has lessons for Europe on ending bloodshed

This content was published on Jul 9, 2025 The Locarno Pact, negotiated in Switzerland 100 years ago, still reverberates today as Europe once again deals with war and US isolationism.

Locarno City Archives, Rodolfo Huber, Locarno Pact centenary

How Locarno became the ‘city of peace’

This content was published on Jul 9, 2025 The Swiss city of Locarno rose to diplomatic fame in 1925 when a set of post-war treaties were negotiated there, leaving behind an enduring legacy of peace and tolerance.

Cooks at work in the kitchen, pictured during a look behind the scenes at Hotel Seedamm Plaza in Pfaeffikon, canton of Schwyz, Switzerland, on March 31, 2014. (KEYSTONE/Christian Beutler)

In Switzerland four out of ten people have a migrant background – who are they?

This content was published on Jul 7, 2025 Migration is increasingly shaping Swiss society. Almost 2.5 million people do not have Swiss nationality, and even more have foreign origins. Where do they come from, and what are their profiles?

King Albert I enjoyed climbing in the Swiss Alps, where he went almost every year. The picture was coloured using AI by the National Museum.

King Albert I: the mountaineering monarch

This content was published on Jul 6, 2025 The Swiss National Museum looks back at the tragic story of Albert I of Belgium, the mountaineering king who performed some of his exploits in Switzerland.

The Zytglogge, the mechanical heart of the city of Bern

This content was published on Jul 5, 2025 The Zytglogge in Bern has one of the very few astronomical clocks in Europe that still works and is fully mechanical.

Can Saudi Arabia’s billions unlock the secrets to a longer, healthier life?

This content was published on Jul 3, 2025 Longevity has been an underfunded area of biotech research but that is changing thanks to an unlikely source: Saudi Arabia.

Retail: consumption of plastic bags has fallen

Plastic bag use declines sharply in Switzerland

This content was published on Jun 30, 2025 There has been a sharp decline in the consumption of single-use disposable plastic bags and reusable plastic bags in the Swiss retail sector.

The federal government is working on a new Swiss identity card with a chip

New Swiss biometric ID card planned for 2026

This content was published on Jun 30, 2025 A biometric Swiss identity card (ID) is expected to be available in Switzerland by the end of 2026. The Federal Office of Police and its federal and cantonal partners are working on a new ID card that features a chip.

Opportunities for social mobility remain high in Switzerland

Swiss continue to enjoy high social mobility, study shows

This content was published on Jun 30, 2025 Opportunities for upward social mobility have remained intact in Switzerland since the 1980s. Social mobility is exceptionally high by international comparison, a study shows.

Mennonite movement turns 500 in Zurich, where it all began

This content was published on Jun 28, 2025 On its 500th anniversary, the worldwide Mennonite movement remembers its Swiss roots.

Consular protection: more and more elderly Swiss are dying abroad

This content was published on Jun 27, 2025 The number of Swiss nationals travelling and living abroad is increasing resulting in more and more consular protection cases.

Arbitration authority rules in favour of "Sugushäuser" tenants

Zurich arbitration authority rules in favour of tenants of ‘Sugus Houses’

This content was published on Jun 23, 2025 A conciliation authority says the terminations of 105 flat leases in the so-called “Sugus Houses” in the centre of Zurich were abusive. The tenants therefore do not have to move out – at least for the time being.

Climate adaptation

Why Switzerland is among the ten fastest-warming countries in the world

Foreign Affairs

In Switzerland four out of ten people have a migrant background – who are they?

Aging society

Suicides in Switzerland quadruple among older people

Criminals are targeting Swiss car dealerships

French gangs target luxury cars in Switzerland

The additional costs that Switzerland will incur when purchasing the US F-35 fighter jet continue to be a concern.

Swiss Politics

Renewed controversy in Switzerland over US fighter jets – explained

Do you have Swiss ancestors? Are you planning to visit where they lived in Switzerland?

We’d love to hear more about your genealogical research.

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Jul 8, 2025

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19 Comments

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What are your experiences with housing shortages and rising property prices?

Switzerland is steering towards a housing crisis. Are there solutions?

Join the discussion

Apr 25, 2025

54 Likes

60 Comments

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Would you work for your municipality or country for free?

The Swiss militia system gives many people political responsibility but no salary. Would that be something for your country?

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Apr 24, 2025

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20 Comments

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Life & Aging

Our editor’s picks

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After the first ‘Sarco pod’ death, will Switzerland introduce stricter rules for assisted suicide?

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Switzerland’s most renowned trans person no longer wants to be a woman

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Growing old in Switzerland

Community corner: latest debates and surveys on Life & Aging

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What are your experiences with housing shortages and rising property prices?

Latest content of Life & Aging

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Suicides in Switzerland quadruple among older people

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Zurich introduces online police station

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St Moritz registers ‘summer’ as trademark

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Swiss authorities detail progress on station access for people with reduced mobility

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Swiss house prices rose sharply in June

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Crowded airports expected in Switzerland this summer

Topic focus: Assisted suicide in Switzerland

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Why assisted suicide is ‘normal’ in Switzerland

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Yoshi travels from Japan to Switzerland to die

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To what extent do you think assisted suicide should be a legally available option to those who want to end their lives?

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A Swiss hospice where people can die with dignity

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Why liberal Switzerland is opposed to the Sarco suicide capsule

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Assisted suicide: death with dignity or ethical dilemma?

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How film and literature have influenced the acceptance of assisted suicide

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After the first ‘Sarco pod’ death, will Switzerland introduce stricter rules for assisted suicide?

More content on Life & Aging

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Forgotten Swiss peace pact has lessons for Europe on ending bloodshed

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How Locarno became the ‘city of peace’

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In Switzerland four out of ten people have a migrant background – who are they?

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King Albert I: the mountaineering monarch

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The Zytglogge, the mechanical heart of the city of Bern

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Can Saudi Arabia’s billions unlock the secrets to a longer, healthier life?

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Plastic bag use declines sharply in Switzerland

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New Swiss biometric ID card planned for 2026

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Swiss continue to enjoy high social mobility, study shows

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Mennonite movement turns 500 in Zurich, where it all began

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Consular protection: more and more elderly Swiss are dying abroad

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Zurich arbitration authority rules in favour of tenants of ‘Sugus Houses’

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Why Switzerland is among the ten fastest-warming countries in the world

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In Switzerland four out of ten people have a migrant background – who are they?

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Suicides in Switzerland quadruple among older people

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French gangs target luxury cars in Switzerland

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Renewed controversy in Switzerland over US fighter jets – explained

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Do you have Swiss ancestors? Are you planning to visit where they lived in Switzerland?