Ageing population threatens Swiss prosperity, study warns
Switzerland must do more to find employment options for older citizens and increase work productivity says the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco). If not, prosperity for all will decline as the population ages.
The median age of the Swiss population has risen to 43 compared to 32 in 1970. By 2060 this will rise further to 48-years-old going by current fertility rates. Increasing immigration would have little effect on this trend, SecoExternal link states in a series of studiesExternal link.
The government department has urged politicians to find more ways to include the older workforce in productive economic activity. Seco also says that work productivity must be raised across all age groups to avoid levels of prosperity from sinking.
Deloitte states that just 23% of people aged 65-69 years old currently have employment in Switzerland, below the OECD average of 27%. The consultancy believes that the labour force could be expanded by 578,000 workers if jobs could be found for 40% of people who say they want to work beyond retirement age.
However, most people (30%) surveyed expect their wishes to fall on deaf ears as employers will not want to hire them. Some 46% of retired people in the survey said they were made to stop working even though they wanted to continue.
Swiss authorities announce cost-cutting in asylum sector
This content was published on
The government notably wants to improve integration into the labour force, particularly for people with protection status S.
Various leaders confirm participation at Ukraine peace conference
This content was published on
The presidents of Poland, Finland, and Latvia and the prime ministers of Spain and Belgium will be at the Swiss-hosted talks in mid-June.
This content was published on
In the winter season up to April 2024, railway and cable car operators ferried 3% more visitors compared to the previous winter, and 5% more than the five-year average.
Rhine flooding: Swiss to invest CHF1 billion with Austria
This content was published on
As part of an international agreement with Austria, the Swiss government wants to pump CHF1 billion ($1.1 billion) into flood protection measures along the Rhine over the next three decades.
Swiss government proposes CHF10 million UNRWA donation
This content was published on
After months of debate, Switzerland plans to give CHF10 million ($11 million) to the UN agency this year, rather than the CHF20 million initially foreseen.
Swiss study: insects mainly migrate at midday and dusk
This content was published on
A study led by the Swiss Ornithological Institute in canton Lucerne is helping to better understand the movement patterns of migratory insects.
Red Cross: 22 staff killed in Middle East since October
This content was published on
The Red Cross and Red Crescent network in Gaza and Israel has lost 22 staff members since last October, the Swiss Red Cross (SRC) said on Wednesday.
Dortmund’s Kobel is first Swiss goalie in Champions League final
This content was published on
Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel has achieved history by becoming the first Swiss goalkeeper to reach a Champion’s League final.
University students in Switzerland join Gaza protest wave
This content was published on
Pro-Palestinian activists occupied university buildings in Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich on Tuesday, widening the protest movement in the Alpine nation.
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
Planned pension reform sees women working a year longer
This content was published on
The Swiss government plans to incrementally increase the retirement age of women to 65 while offering incentives for all people to work longer.
This content was published on
Work longer? No thanks! Swiss aged 50-70 reject any form of increase in the age of retirement, especially women and French-speakers.
Swiss workers’ union says raising retirement age is inevitable
This content was published on
The head of Employees Switzerland says raising the retirement age in Switzerland is unavoidable as the state pension is in a critical state.
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.