Pensions and health give Swiss the most sleepless nights
Providing for their retirement continues to stress the Swiss, while the issue of health is becoming more important, according to Credit Suisse’s Worry Barometer 2018. Unemployment is no longer one of the most serious concerns.
In the annual poll for this yearExternal link, published on Thursday, 45% of respondents said securing retirement plans was their most pressing issue. Health and health insurance have moved up into second place at 41% – up 15 percentage points on 2017.
The vast majority of respondents considered retirement provision as a societal problem that everyone must contribute to solving. They did not, however, question Switzerland’s three-pillar model.
Pensions and health were followed by foreigners (37%) and refugees and asylum (31%). The environment returned to the top five on 23%, one percentage point ahead of unemployment (22%).
From 2003 to 2016, the fear of unemployment was the major concern of the Swiss. Even last year, it was the top worry of 44% of respondents.
Three themes were new entries in the 2018 top ten: new poverty (18%), wages (15%) and federal finances (15%).
“Citizens seem aware that there are big questions to be discussed, and they are obviously willing to work to solve them,” the study authors wrote.
Credit Suisse has published its Worry Barometer for 42 years. The institute gfs.bern interviewed 2,551 voters from all over Switzerland on behalf of the bank from July 10 to August 6.
More
More
Explainer: the three Swiss pension pillars
This content was published on
The Swiss cabinet and parliament are wrangling over reforms to the country’s pension scheme. How does the current system work?
Protein in abdominal fat could help shape obesity treatment
This content was published on
The study analysed fat cells from different locations in the body, and found that those in the abdomen have unique properties.
North African asylum claims fall after rapid Swiss processing
This content was published on
The accelerated procedure, now out of its test phase, has resulted in a significant drop in applications from North African countries.
This content was published on
The artist's song "The Code" focuses on their journey as a nonbinary individual. It is one of the favourites to win this year's contest.
Swiss climate activists block vehicles near Gotthard tunnel
This content was published on
Around ten climate activists briefly blocked the A2 motorway near the northern entrance of the Gotthard tunnel on Thursday.
Watches belonging to Michael Schumacher up for auction
This content was published on
Schumacher's family is auctioning off eight rare watches from his collection in Geneva. The Christie's auction will take place on Monday.
Joya Marleen and Baschi named best solo acts at Swiss Music Awards
This content was published on
St. Gallen singer Joya Marleen and Baschi from Basel were named artists of the year at the Swiss Music Awards 2024 on Wednesday night.
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 pension funds feel society’s pull
This content was published on
Pressures have mounted on traditionally conservative Swiss pension funds to lend leverage to the responsible business agenda.
Swiss back raising retirement age for women, tax-hike
This content was published on
A clear majority of Swiss are in favour of raising the retirement age of women from 64 to 65, as well as a tax-hike to make pension reform possible.
This content was published on
Today’s youth wants everything at once. But this and the increasing use of smartphones and apps are making this generation stressed out.
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.