In concrete terms, by mid-2019 assets per adult in Switzerland stood at $564,650 (CHF555,000), an increase of $17,790 over the previous year, according to the tenth Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report,External link published on Monday.
This puts Switzerland ahead of the United States, where assets per adult have risen by $11,980 since mid-2018, Japan (plus $9,180) and the Netherlands (plus $9,160). The main loser was Australia (down $28,670).
Since 2000, assets per Swiss adult have risen by 144%, according to Credit Suisse. However, much of that rise has been due to appreciation of the franc against the dollar, especially between 2001 and 2013.
In Swiss francs, household wealth rose 45% from 2000 to 2019, representing an average annual rate of 2%.
Financial assets make up 55% of gross wealth in Switzerland – a little higher than their share in the UK, but less than in Japan or the United States.
Debts – mainly in the form of outstanding mortgage loans – average $142,620 per adult, one of the highest levels in the world, and represent 20% of total assets. The debt ratio has risen slightly from a low of 19% in 2014.
Wealth inequality
The study authors noted that among the ten countries with a long series of wealth distribution data, “Switzerland alone has seen no appreciable reduction in wealth inequality over the past century”.
High average wealth and relatively high wealth inequality had resulted in a large proportion of the Swiss population being in the top levels of the global distribution, they said.
Switzerland accounts for 1.8% of the top 1% of global wealth holders, “which is remarkable for a country with just 0.1% of the world’s adult population”.
About two-thirds of Swiss adults have assets above $100,000, and 12% are dollar millionaires, the study found. An estimated 2,200 individuals are in the ultra-high net worth group, with wealth of over $50 million and 770 have net worth exceeding $100 million.
Wealthiest or not?
In September 2019 German insurer Allianz reported that the Swiss had been knocked off their perch as the world’s wealthiest citizens.
The average Swiss was worth €173,438 (CHF190,087) last year compared to €184,411 for the average American.
The figure measured net wealth per capita, stripping out debt that each person owes on average. The Allianz study said Swiss citizens still enjoyed the highest gross wealth, at €266,318 (CHF293,000), compared to €227,364 in the US.
More
More
Are most Swiss residents rich?
This content was published on
Following reader suggestions, we find out if most people calling Switzerland home can afford diamond rings and fur coats or are just making ends meet.
In Switzerland more people are being referred to electrical therapies or psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Are there similar approaches where you live?
This content was published on
A Geneva-registered tourist plane grazed some ski mountaineers on Saturday on a glacier on the Swiss side of the Monte Rosa massif.
Sharp rise in reports of suspicious sports betting in Switzerland
This content was published on
Last year the Intercantonal Gambling Supervisory Authority received 184 reports of suspicious activities in connection with 166 sports competitions.
Swiss fencers apologise for diplomatic scandal with Israel
This content was published on
Two days after causing a diplomatic scandal at the U23 European Championships in Tallinn, the Swiss fencers responsible have published a jointly signed apology on Instagram.
Air in climbing gyms more polluted than on streets
This content was published on
The concentration of potentially harmful chemicals in climbing gyms is sometimes higher than on busy roads, say researchers from Switzerland and Austria.
This content was published on
Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) achieved slightly higher sales at the start of the year. However, profits fell sharply, partly due to the late Easter.
Switzerland’s first padel court on water built in Arosa
This content was published on
Switzerland's first padel tennis court on water will open on the Obersee in Arosa, canton Graubünden, for the 2025 summer season.
This content was published on
Wine consumption in Switzerland fell by almost 8% in 2024 compared to the previous year. Swiss wines are particularly affected by the decline.
Jackie Chan to be honoured for life’s work at Locarno Film Festival
This content was published on
Martial artist Jackie Chan will receive an Honorary Leopard, a lifetime achievement award, from the Locarno Film Festival in southern Switzerland in August.
Novartis raises forecast again after strong Q1 results
This content was published on
Swiss pharmaceutical giant Novartis has continued the strong pace of growth of recent quarters in the first three months of 2025.
Swiss canton holds first general meeting on winegrowing
This content was published on
More than 250 professionals attended the first general meeting of the Valais wine industry on Monday in Conthey, western Switzerland.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss knocked off ‘wealthiest citizens’ perch
This content was published on
The figure measures net wealth per capita, stripping out debt that each person owes on average. Switzerland and the United States have been trading top place in the Allianz wealth rankingsExternal link for the last few years. Because the figures are converted into euros for the report, the relative strengths of national currencies play a…
How wealthy Swiss regions subsidise their poorer cousins
This content was published on
Each year, Switzerland’s unique redistributive system, a cornerstone of federalism, shifts money from richer to poorer parts of the country.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.