The Federal Statistical Office (FSO) says the average worker received a 0.9% pay increase in 2022 but saw all of this, and more, wiped out by a 2.8% rise in the cost of goods.
Wages saw the strongest growth of 4% in the chemical and pharmaceutical production process last year, but other sectors saw a decline in pay even before inflation kicked in.
Employees engaged in the manufacture of rubber and plastic goods saw pay packets shrink by 2.2% while electrical equipment and clock makers had to make do with 0.6% less.
Food production workers saw no nominal wage growth at all in 2022 while the industrial sector only increased salaries by 0.7%.
More
Salaries in Switzerland
The cost of living in Switzerland is among the highest in the world, but workers also earn among the highest salaries.
A survey by UBS bank in November said Swiss purchasing power has fallen to its lowest level in 80 years – but it paints a more positive picture for wage growth this year.
UBS predicted that the average pay packet will swell 2.2% in 2023. The Swiss National Bank forecasts 2.6% inflation this year, falling to 2% in 2024.
Swiss broadcaster appoints Eurovision Song Contest officials
This content was published on
The SBC Executive Board has appointed Reto Peritz and Moritz Stadler from SRF and RTS as the managers charged with overseeing the ESC 2025 task force.
F1 Sauber cleared of unauthorised advertising, rules Swiss commission
This content was published on
The Sauber F1 racing team is not engaging in unauthorized advertising for online gambling: this is the conclusion reached by the Swiss Federal Gaming Board.
‘Alpha Uno’: Swiss fighter jets take off and land on motorway
This content was published on
The Swiss Air Force is conducting a military exercise on the motorway in canton Vaud between the Payerne and Avenches municipalities on Wednesday.
Federal offices and Xplain adopt data protection recommendations
This content was published on
Swiss authorities and its private contract processors are required to review their cooperation after an investigation into leaked data.
This content was published on
Heavy rainfall has caused severe flooding in northern Armenia and cost lives. Switzerland dispatched a team of seven engineers to the region.
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 face biggest loss of purchasing power since 1942
This content was published on
Wages in Switzerland are not keeping pace with inflation, and in 2022 the purchasing power of employees has dropped significantly.
Swiss central bank hikes interest rate despite banking turmoil
This content was published on
The Swiss National Bank (SNB) raised the benchmark interest rate on Thursday by to 1.5% in a move to curb inflationary pressure.
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.