Switzerland

Broadcast media

the publicly owned radio and TV broadcaster, Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG/SSR), operates 7 national TV networks, 3 broadcasting in German, 2 in Italian, and 2 in French; private commercial TV stations broadcast regionally and locally; TV broadcasts from stations in Germany, Italy, and France are widely available via multi-channel cable and satellite TV services; SRG/SSR operates 18 radio stations that, along with private broadcasters, provide national to local coverage (2009)

Internet country code

.ch

Internet hosts

5.301 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 20

Internet users

6.152 million (2009) country comparison to the world: 42

Telephone system

general assessment: highly developed telecommunications infrastructure with excellent domestic and international services domestic: ranked among leading countries for fixed-line teledensity and infrastructure; mobile-cellular subscribership roughly 125 per 100 persons; extensive cable and microwave radio relay networks international: country code - 41; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean) (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

4.382 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 38

Telephones - mobile cellular

10.46 million (2012) country comparison to the world: 77

Agriculture - products

grains, fruits, vegetables; meat, eggs

Budget

revenues: $217.8 billion expenditures: $208.5 billion note: includes federal, cantonal, and municipal budgets (2013 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

1.4% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 23

Central bank discount rate

0.5% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 132 0.75% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

2.7% (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 171 2.69% (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance

$65.6 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 8 $63.82 billion (2012 est.)

Debt - external

$1.544 trillion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 12 $1.424 trillion (31 December 2011)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

28.7 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 123 33.1 (1992)

Economy - overview

Switzerland is a peaceful, prosperous, and modern market economy with low unemployment, a highly skilled labor force, and a per capita GDP among the highest in the world. Switzerland's economy benefits from a highly developed service sector, led by financial services, and a manufacturing industry that specializes in high-technology, knowledge-based production. Its economic and political stability, transparent legal system, exceptional infrastructure, efficient capital markets, and low corporate tax rates also make Switzerland one of the world's most competitive economies. The Swiss have brought their economic practices largely into conformity with the EU's to enhance their international competitiveness, but some trade protectionism remains, particularly for its small agricultural sector. The fate of the Swiss economy is tightly linked to that of its neighbors in the euro zone, which purchases half of all Swiss exports. The global financial crisis of 2008 and resulting economic downturn in 2009 stalled export demand and put Switzerland in a recession. The Swiss National Bank (SNB) during this period effectively implemented a zero-interest rate policy to boost the economy as well as prevent appreciation of the franc, and Switzerland's economy began to recover in 2010. The sovereign debt crises currently unfolding in neighboring euro-zone countries pose a significant risk to Switzerland's financial stability and are driving up demand for the Swiss franc by investors seeking a safe-haven currency. The independent SNB has upheld its zero-interest rate policy and conducted major market interventions to prevent further appreciation of the Swiss franc, but parliamentarians have urged it to do more to weaken the currency. The franc's strength has made Swiss exports less competitive and weakened the country's growth outlook; GDP growth fell below 2% per year during 2011-13. Switzerland has also come under increasing pressure from individual neighboring countries, the EU, the US, and international institutions to reform its banking secrecy laws. Consequently, the government agreed to conform to OECD regulations on administrative assistance in tax matters, including tax evasion. The government has renegotiated its double taxation agreements with numerous countries, including the US, to incorporate the OECD standard, and is considering the possibility of imposing taxes on bank deposits held by foreigners. These steps will have a lasting impact on Switzerland's long history of bank secrecy.

Exchange rates

Swiss francs (CHF) per US dollar - 0.9542 (2013 est.) 0.9374 (2012 est.) 1.0429 (2010 est.) 1.0881 (2009) 1.0774 (2008)

Exports

$229.2 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 $226 billion (2012 est.) note: trade data exclude trade with Switzerland

Exports - commodities

machinery, chemicals, metals, watches, agricultural products

Exports - partners

Germany 18.5%, United States 11.61%, Italy 7.61%, France 6.96%, United Kingdom 5.67% (2013 est.)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate)

$646.2 billion (2013 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$371.2 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 $363.9 billion (2012 est.) $360.1 billion (2011 est.) note: data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption: 57.4% government consumption: 11.5% investment in fixed capital: 20.3% investment in inventories: 0.7% exports of goods and services: 50.4% imports of goods and services: -40.2% (2013 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 0.7% industry: 26.8% services: 72.5% (2013 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$54,800 (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 $53,300 (2012 est.) $50,900 (2011 est.) note: data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 146 1% (2012 est.) 1.8% (2011 est.)

Gross national saving

31.5% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 23 31.5% of GDP (2012 est.) 27.3% of GDP (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 7.5% highest 10%: 19% (2007)

Imports

$200.5 billion (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 26 $197.9 billion (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery, chemicals, vehicles, metals; agricultural products, textiles

Imports - partners

Germany 28.19%, Italy 10.46%, France 8.49%, United States 6.08%, China 5.75%, Austria 4.4% (2013 est.)

Industrial production growth rate

2.2% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 121

Industries

machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments, tourism, banking, insurance

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-0.4% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 -0.7% (2012 est.)

Labor force

4.976 million (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 77

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 3.4% industry: 23.4% services: 73.2% (2010)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$1.079 trillion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 $932.2 billion (31 December 2011) $1.229 trillion (31 December 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

7.6% (2011)

Public debt

33.8% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 110 34.9% of GDP (2012) note: general government gross debt; gross debt consists of all liabilities that require payment or payments of interest and/or principal by the debtor to the creditor at a date or dates in the future; includes debt liabilities in the form of SDRs, currency and deposits, debt securities, loans, insurance, pensions and standardized guarantee schemes, and other accounts payable; all liabilities in the GFSM 2001 system are debt, except for equity and investment fund shares and financial derivatives and employee stock options

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$536.3 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 $536.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.36 trillion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 $1.215 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$1.432 trillion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 5 $1.381 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$968.9 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 $955.1 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.395 trillion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 $1.247 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$525.9 billion (31 December 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 $534.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

33.7% of GDP (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 71

Unemployment rate

3.2% (2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 25 2.9% (2012 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

41.84 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 187

Crude oil - imports

258,200 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 28

Crude oil - production

3,613 bbl/day (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 100

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.) country comparison to the world: 192

Electricity - consumption

58.97 billion kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 41

Electricity - exports

34.57 billion kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 5

Electricity - from fossil fuels

3.1% of total installed capacity (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 200

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

68% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 24

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

24.3% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 5

Electricity - from other renewable sources

5.5% of total installed capacity (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 43

Electricity - imports

32.25 billion kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 6

Electricity - installed generating capacity

18.07 million kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 42

Electricity - production

68.02 billion kWh (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 41

Natural gas - consumption

3.2 billion cu m (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 71

Natural gas - exports

8.494 billion cu m (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 31

Natural gas - imports

11.77 billion cu m (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 26

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 195

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 196

Refined petroleum products - consumption

258,200 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 50

Refined petroleum products - exports

7,585 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 87

Refined petroleum products - imports

157,600 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 36

Refined petroleum products - production

96,710 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 74

Area

total: 41,277 sq km country comparison to the world: 136 land: 39,997 sq km water: 1,280 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey

Climate

temperate, but varies with altitude; cold, cloudy, rainy/snowy winters; cool to warm, cloudy, humid summers with occasional showers

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Lake Maggiore 195 m highest point: Dufourspitze 4,634 m

Environment - current issues

air pollution from vehicle emissions and open-air burning; acid rain; water pollution from increased use of agricultural fertilizers; loss of biodiversity

Environment - international agreements

party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Marine Dumping, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 2.61 cu km/yr (39%/58%/3%) per capita: 360.3 cu m/yr (2010)

Geographic coordinates

47 00 N, 8 00 E

Geography - note

landlocked; crossroads of northern and southern Europe; along with southeastern France, northern Italy, and southwestern Austria, has the highest elevations in the Alps

Irrigated land

550 sq km (2007)

Land boundaries

total: 1,852 km border countries: Austria 164 km, France 573 km, Italy 740 km, Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 334 km

Land use

arable land: 9.8% permanent crops: 0.57% other: 89.63% (2011)

Location

Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

avalanches, landslides; flash floods

Natural resources

hydropower potential, timber, salt

Terrain

mostly mountains (Alps in south, Jura in northwest) with a central plateau of rolling hills, plains, and large lakes

Total renewable water resources

53.5 cu km (2011)

Administrative divisions

26 cantons (cantons, singular - canton in French; cantoni, singular - cantone in Italian; Kantone, singular - Kanton in German); Aargau, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Bern/Berne, Fribourg/Freiburg, Geneve, Glarus, Graubuenden/Grischun/Grigioni, Jura, Luzern, Neuchatel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Sankt Gallen, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Valais/Wallis, Vaud, Zug, Zuerich note: 6 of the cantons - Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt, Nidwalden, Obwalden - are referred to as half cantons because they elect only one member to the Council of States and, in popular referendums where a majority of popular votes and a majority of cantonal votes are required, these six cantons only have a half vote

Capital

name: Bern geographic coordinates: 46 55 N, 7 28 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

Constitution

previous 1848, 1874 (extensive revision of 1848 version); latest adopted by referendum 18 April 1999, effective 1 January 2000; amended several times, last in 2012 (2012)

Country name

conventional long form: Swiss Confederation conventional short form: Switzerland local long form: Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft (German); Confederation Suisse (French); Confederazione Svizzera (Italian); Confederaziun Svizra (Romansh) local short form: Schweiz (German); Suisse (French); Svizzera (Italian); Svizra (Romansh)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Jeffrey R. CELLARS (since 22 July 2013); note - also accredited to Liechtenstein embassy: Sulgeneckstrasse 19, CH-3007 Bern mailing address: use Embassy street address telephone: [41] (031) 357-70-11 FAX: [41] (031) 357-73-44

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Manuel SAGER (since 1 November 2010) chancery: 2900 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 745-7900 FAX: [1] (202) 387-2564 consulate(s) general: Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco consulate(s): Boston

Executive branch

chief of state: President of the Swiss Confederation Didier BURKHALTER (since 1 January 2014); Vice President Simonetta SOMMARUGA (since 1 January 2014; note - the Federal Council, which is comprised of seven federal councillors, constitutes the federal government of Switzerland; council members rotate in one-year terms as federal president (chief of state and head of government) head of government: President of the Swiss Confederation Didier BURKHALTER (since 1 January 2014); Vice President Simonetta SOMMARUGA (since 1 January 2014) cabinet: Federal Council or Bundesrat (in German), Conseil Federal (in French), Consiglio Federale (in Italian) is elected by the Federal Assembly usually from among its members for a four-year term (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: president and vice president elected by the Federal Assembly from among the members of the Federal Council for a one-year, non-consecutive term; election last held on 5 December 2012 (next to be held in early December 2013) election results: Didier BURKHALTER elected president; Federal Assembly vote - 183 of 202; Simonetta SOMMARUGA elected vice president

Flag description

red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the center that does not extend to the edges of the flag; various medieval legends purport to describe the origin of the flag; a white cross used as identification for troops of the Swiss Confederation is first attested at the Battle of Laupen (1339)

Government type

formally a confederation but similar in structure to a federal republic

Independence

1 August 1291 (founding of the Swiss Confederation)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, CD, CE, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, EFTA, EITI (implementing country), ESA, FAO, FATF, G-10, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PFP, Schengen Convention, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNITAR, UNMISS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch

highest court(s): Federal Supreme Court (consists of 38 judges and 31 substitutes and organized into 5 sections) judge selection and term of office: judges elected by the Federal Assembly for 6-year terms; note - judges are affiliated with political parties and are elected according to linguistic and regional criteria in approximate proportion to the level of party representation in the Federal Assembly subordinate courts: Federal Criminal Court (began in 2004); Federal Administrative Court (began in 2007); note - each of Switzerland's 26 cantons has its own courts

Legal system

civil law system; judicial review of legislative acts, except for federal decrees of a general obligatory character

Legislative branch

bicameral Federal Assembly or Bundesversammlung (in German), Assemblee Federale (in French), Assemblea Federale (in Italian) consists of the Council of States or Staenderat (in German), Conseil des Etats (in French), Consiglio degli Stati (in Italian) (46 seats; membership consists of 2 representatives from each canton and 1 from each half canton; members serve four-year terms) and the National Council or Nationalrat (in German), Conseil National (in French), Consiglio Nazionale (in Italian) (200 seats; members elected by popular vote on the basis of proportional representation serve four-year terms) elections: Council of States - last held in most cantons on 23 October 2011 (each canton determines when the next election will be held); National Council - last held on 23 October 2011 (next to be held in October 2015) election results: Council of States - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CVP 13, FDP 11, SVP 5, SPS 11, other 6; National Council - percent of vote by party - SVP 26.6%, SPS 18.7%, FDP 15.1%, CVP 12.3%, Green Party 8.4%, GLP 5.4%, BDP 5.4%, other 8.1%; seats by party - SVP 54, SPS 46, FDP 30, CVP 28, Green Party 15, GLP 12, BDP 9, other small parties 6

National anthem

name: "Schweizerpsalm" [German] "Cantique Suisse" [French] "Salmo svizzero," [Italian] "Psalm svizzer" [Romansch] (Swiss Psalm)

National holiday

Founding of the Swiss Confederation, 1 August (1291)

National symbol(s)

Swiss cross (white cross on red field; arms equal length)

Political parties and leaders

Christian Democratic People's Party (Christlichdemokratische Volkspartei der Schweiz or CVP, Parti Democrate-Chretien Suisse or PDC, Partito Popolare Democratico Svizzero or PPD, Partida Cristiandemocratica dalla Svizra or PCD) [Christophe DARBELLAY] Conservative Democratic Party (Buergerlich-Demokratische Partei Schweiz or BDP, Parti Bourgeois Democratique Suisse or PBD, Partito Borghese Democratico Svizzero or PBD, Partido burgais democratica Svizera or PBD) [Martin LANDOLT] Free Democratic Party or FDP.The Liberals (FDP.Die Liberalen, PLR.Les Liberaux-Radicaux, PLR.I Liberali, Ils Liberals) [Philipp MUELLER] Green Liberal Party (Grunliberale or GLP, Parti vert liberale or PVL, Partito Verde-Liberale or PVL, Partida Verde Liberale or PVL) [Martin BAEUMLE] Green Party (Gruene Partei der Schweiz or Gruene, Parti Ecologiste Suisse or Les Verts, Partito Ecologista Svizzero or I Verdi, Partida Ecologica Svizra or La Verda) [Adele THORENS] Social Democratic Party (Sozialdemokratische Partei der Schweiz or SPS, Parti Socialiste Suisse or PSS, Partito Socialista Svizzero or PSS, Partida Socialdemocratica de la Svizra or PSS) [Christian LEVRAT] Swiss People's Party (Schweizerische Volkspartei or SVP, Union Democratique du Centre or UDC, Unione Democratica di Centro or UDC, Uniun Democratica dal Center or UDC) [Toni BRUNNER] and other minor parties

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

The Swiss Confederation was founded in 1291 as a defensive alliance among three cantons. In succeeding years, other localities joined the original three. The Swiss Confederation secured its independence from the Holy Roman Empire in 1499. A constitution of 1848, subsequently modified in 1874, replaced the confederation with a centralized federal government. Switzerland's sovereignty and neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers, and the country was not involved in either of the two world wars. The political and economic integration of Europe over the past half century, as well as Switzerland's role in many UN and international organizations, has strengthened Switzerland's ties with its neighbors. However, the country did not officially become a UN member until 2002. Switzerland remains active in many UN and international organizations but retains a strong commitment to neutrality.

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 1,828,043 females age 16-49: 1,786,552 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 1,493,509 females age 16-49: 1,459,450 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 46,562 female: 42,585 (2010 est.)

Military branches

Swiss Armed Forces: Land Forces, Swiss Air Force (Schweizer Luftwaffe) (2013)

Military expenditures

0.76% of GDP (2012) country comparison to the world: 117 0.75% of GDP (2011) 0.76% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

19-26 years of age for male compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary male and female military service; every Swiss male has to serve at least 260 days in the armed forces; conscripts receive 18 weeks of mandatory training, followed by seven 3-week intermittent recalls for training during the next 10 years (2012)

Age structure

0-14 years: 15.1% (male 627,952/female 591,528) 15-24 years: 11.4% (male 469,536/female 451,547) 25-54 years: 43.9% (male 1,775,571/female 1,760,456) 55-64 years: 12% (male 484,278/female 486,220) 65 years and over: 17.3% (male 616,009/female 798,419) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

10.48 births/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 185

Death rate

8.1 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 95

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 48.5 % youth dependency ratio: 21.8 % elderly dependency ratio: 26.7 % potential support ratio: 3.7 (2014 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2012 est.)

Education expenditures

5.2% of GDP (2010) country comparison to the world: 66

Ethnic groups

German 65%, French 18%, Italian 10%, Romansch 1%, other 6%

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.4% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 80

HIV/AIDS - deaths

fewer than 100 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 148

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

18,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 85

Health expenditures

10.9% of GDP (2011) country comparison to the world: 15

Hospital bed density

5 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

total: 3.73 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 203 male: 4.12 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

Languages

German (official) 64.9%, French (official) 22.6%, Italian (official) 8.3%, Serbo-Croatian 2.5%, Albanian 2.6%, Portuguese 3.4%, Spanish 2.2%, English 4.6%, Romansch (official) 0.5%, other 5.1% note: German, French, Italian, and Romansch are all national and official languages; totals more than 100% because some respondents indicated more than one main principal language (2012 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 82.39 years country comparison to the world: 8 male: 80.1 years female: 84.81 years (2014 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 99% male: 99% female: 99% (2003 est.)

Major urban areas - population

Zurich 1.194 million; BERN (capital) 353,000 (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

8 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 159

Median age

total: 42 years male: 41 years female: 42.9 years (2014 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth

30.2 (2010 est.)

Nationality

noun: Swiss (singular and plural) adjective: Swiss

Net migration rate

5.43 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 26

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

17.5% (2008) country comparison to the world: 111

Physicians density

4.08 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population

8,061,516 (July 2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 96

Population growth rate

0.78% (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 141

Religions

Roman Catholic 38.2%, Protestant 26.9%, Muslim 4.9%, other Christian 5.7%, other 1.6%, none 21.4%, unspecified 1.3% (2012 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population unimproved: urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2012 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 16 years male: 16 years female: 16 years (2011)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 25-54 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 55-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.54 children born/woman (2014 est.) country comparison to the world: 188

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 8.4% country comparison to the world: 119 male: 8.8% female: 8.1% (2012)

Urbanization

urban population: 73.7% of total population (2011) rate of urbanization: 0.49% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

a major international financial center vulnerable to the layering and integration stages of money laundering; despite significant legislation and reporting requirements, secrecy rules persist and nonresidents are permitted to conduct business through offshore entities and various intermediaries; transit country for and consumer of South American cocaine, Southwest Asian heroin, and Western European synthetics; domestic cannabis cultivation and limited ecstasy production

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 13,106 (Eritrea) (2013) stateless persons: 69 (2012)

Airports

63 (2013) country comparison to the world: 78

Airports - with paved runways

total: 40 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 17 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 23 under 914 m: 23 (2013)

Heliports

2 (2013)

Merchant marine

total: 38 country comparison to the world: 78 by type: bulk carrier 19, cargo 9, chemical tanker 5, container 4, petroleum tanker 1 registered in other countries: 127 (Antigua and Barbuda 7, Bahamas 1, Belize 1, Cayman Islands 1, France 5, Germany 2, Hong Kong 5, Italy 13, Liberia 25, Luxembourg 1, Malta 20, Marshall Islands 12, NZ 2, Panama 15, Portugal 3, Russia 3, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 7, Singapore 3, Spain 1) (2010)

Pipelines

gas 1,800 km; oil 94 km; refined products 7 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

river port(s): Basel (Rhine)

Railways

total: 4,876 km country comparison to the world: 37 standard gauge: 3,846 km 1.435-m gauge (3,591 km electrified) narrow gauge: 1,020 km 1.000-m gauge (1,013 km electrified); 10 km 0.800-m gauge (10 km electrified) (2008)

Roadways

total: 71,464 km country comparison to the world: 65 paved: 71,464 km (includes 1,415 of expressways) (2011)

Waterways

1,292 km (there are 1,227 km of waterways on lakes and rivers for public transport and another 65 km on the Rhine River between Basel-Rheinfelden and Schaffhausen-Bodensee used for the transport of commercial goods) (2010) country comparison to the world: 58