2015 Edition

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.

Area

land

39,997 sq km

total

41,277 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

highest point

Dufourspitze 4,634 m

lowest point

Lake Maggiore 195 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)

per capita

360.3 cu m/yr (2010)

total

2.61 cu km/yr (39%/58%/3%)

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

border countries (5)

Austria 158 km, France 525 km, Italy 698 km, Liechtenstein 41 km, Germany 348 km

total

1,770 km

Land use

arable land 10.2%; permanent crops 0.6%; permanent pasture 27.9%

agricultural land

38.7%

forest

31.5%

other

29.8% (2011 est.)

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)

Age structure

0-14 years

15.09% (male 630,944/female 594,465)

15-24 years

11.29% (male 468,036/female 449,309)

25-54 years

43.67% (male 1,780,039/female 1,766,820)

55-64 years

12.18% (male 494,285/female 495,107)

65 years and over

17.76% (male 631,204/female 811,621) (2015 est.)

Birth rate

10.5 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Death rate

8.13 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Dependency ratios

elderly dependency ratio

26.9%

potential support ratio

3.7% (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

48.8%

youth dependency ratio

22%

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

Education expenditures

5.3% of GDP (2011)

Ethnic groups

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

Health expenditures

11.5% of GDP (2013)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.35% (2013 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

300 (2013 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

20,200 (2013 est.)

Hospital bed density

5 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

female

3.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)

male

4.03 deaths/1,000 live births

total

3.67 deaths/1,000 live births

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

female

84.92 years (2015 est.)

male

80.22 years

total population

82.5 years

Major urban areas - population

Zurich 1.246 million; BERN (capital) 358,000 (2015)

Median age

female

43.1 years (2015 est.)

male

41.1 years

total

42.1 years

Nationality

adjective

Swiss

noun

Swiss (singular and plural)

Net migration rate

4.74 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

21% (2014)

Physicians density

4.05 physicians/1,000 population (2012)

Population

8,121,830 (July 2015 est.)

Population growth rate

0.71% (2015 est.)

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

urban: 99.9% of population

rural: 99.8% of population

total: 99.9% of population

urban: 0.1% of population

rural: 0.2% of population

total: 0.1% of population (2015 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

female

16 years (2012)

male

16 years

total

16 years

Sex ratio

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

1 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.78 male(s)/female

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

0.97 male(s)/female (2015 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.55 children born/woman (2015 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

female

8.1% (2012 est.)

male

8.8%

total

8.4%

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

1.08% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

73.9% of total population (2015)

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, Berne/Bern, Fribourg/Freiburg, Geneve, Glarus, Graubuenden/Grigioni/Grischun, 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

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

46 55 N, 7 28 E

name

Bern

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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 2014 (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 Suzan G. LEVINE (since 2 June 2014); note - also accredited to Liechtenstein

embassy

Sulgeneckstrasse 19, CH-3007 Bern

FAX

[41] (031) 357-73-44

mailing address

use embassy street address

telephone

[41] (031) 357-70-11

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2900 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Martin DAHINDEN (since 18 November 2014)

consulate(s)

Boston

consulate(s) general

Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco

FAX

[1] (202) 387-2564

telephone

[1] (202) 745-7900

Executive branch

cabinet

Federal Council or Bundesrat (in German), Conseil Federal (in French), Consiglio Federale (in Italian) indirectly elected usually from among its members by the Federal Assembly for a 4-year term

chief of state

President of the Swiss Confederation Simonetta SOMMARUGA (since 1 January 2015); Vice President Johann N. SCHNEIDER-AMMANN (since 1 January 2015; note - the Federal Council, which is comprised of 7 federal councillors, constitutes the federal government of Switzerland; council members rotate in a 1-year term as federal president (chief of state and head of government)

election results

Simonetta SOMMARUGA elected president; Federal Assembly vote - 181 of 236; Johann N. SCHNEIDER-AMMANN elected vice president

elections/appointments

president and vice president indirectly elected by the Federal Assembly from among members of the Federal Council for a 1-year, non-consecutive term; election last held on 3 December 2014 (next to be held in early December 2015)

head of government

President of the Swiss Confederation Simonetta SOMMARUGA (since 1 January 2015); Vice President Johann N. SCHNEIDER-AMMANN (since 1 January 2015)

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), ICCt, 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, UNMOGIP, 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

description

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; members in multi-seat constituencies representing cantons and single-seat constituencies representing half cantons directly elected by simple majority vote; members serve 4-year terms) and the National Council or Nationalrat - in German, Conseil National - in French, Consiglio Nazionale - in Italian (200 seats; 195 members in cantons directly elected by proportional representation vote and 5 in half cantons directly elected by simple majority vote; members serve 4-year terms)

election results

Council of States - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CVP 13, FDP 11, SPS 11, SVP 5, 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 6

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 on 18 October 2015)

National anthem

the Swiss anthem has four names: "Schweizerpsalm" [German] "Cantique Suisse" [French] "Salmo svizzero," [Italian] "Psalm svizzer" [Romansch] (Swiss Psalm)

lyrics/music

Leonhard WIDMER [German], Charles CHATELANAT [French], Camillo VALSANGIACOMO [Italian], and Flurin CAMATHIAS [Romansch]/Alberik ZWYSSIG

note

unofficially adopted 1961, officially 1981; the anthem has been popular in a number of Swiss cantons since its composition (in German) in 1841; translated into the other three official languages of the country (French, Italian, and Romansch), it is official in each of those languages

National holiday

Founding of the Swiss Confederation in 1291; note - since 1 August 1891 celebrated as Swiss National Day

National symbol(s)

Swiss cross (white cross on red field, arms equal length); national colors: red, white

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 and Regula RYTZ]

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]

other minor parties

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

grains, fruits, vegetables; meat, eggs

Budget

expenditures

$226 billion

note

includes federal, cantonal, and municipal budgets (2014 est.)

revenues

$228.1 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

0.3% of GDP (2014 est.)

Central bank discount rate

0.5% (31 December 2010)

0.75% (31 December 2009)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

2.7% (31 December 2014 est.)

2.69% (31 December 2013 est.)

Current account balance

$49.53 billion (2014 est.)

$97.57 billion (2013 est.)

Debt - external

$1.544 trillion (31 December 2012 est.)

$1.424 trillion (31 December 2011)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

28.7 (2012 est.)

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 Swiss exports. The global financial crisis of 2008 and resulting economic downturn in 2009 stalled demand for Swiss exports and put Switzerland into a recession. During this period, the Swiss National Bank (SNB) implemented a zero-interest rate policy to boost the economy, as well as to prevent appreciation of the franc, and Switzerland's economy began to recover in 2010.

The sovereign debt crises unfolding in neighboring euro-zone countries, however, coupled with ongoing economic instability in Russia and other eastern European economies continue to pose a significant risk to the Swiss economy, driving up demand for the Swiss franc by investors seeking a safe-haven currency. In January 2015, the SNB abandoned the Swiss franc’s peg to the Euro, roiling global currency markets and making active SNB intervention a necessary hallmark of present-day Swiss monetary policy. 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 from 2011-14.

In recent years, Switzerland has responded to increasing pressure from neighboring countries and trading partners to reform its banking secrecy laws, by agreeing to conform to OECD regulations on administrative assistance in tax matters, including tax evasion. The Swiss government has also renegotiated its double taxation agreements with numerous countries, including the US, to incorporate OECD standards, and is openly considering the possibility of imposing taxes on bank deposits held by foreigners.

Exchange rates

Swiss francs (CHF) per US dollar -

0.9121 (2014 est.)

0.9266 (2013 est.)

0.94 (2012 est.)

0.8876 (2011 est.)

1.0429 (2010 est.)

Exports

$388.9 billion (2014 est.)

$378.5 billion (2013 est.)

note

trade data exclude trade with Switzerland

Exports - commodities

machinery, chemicals, metals, watches, agricultural products

Exports - partners

Germany 18.3%, US 13%, France 7.3%, Italy 6.6%, UK 5%, China 4.1% (2014)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

(2014 est.)

exports of goods and services

51.9%

government consumption

11.4%

household consumption

57.2%

imports of goods and services

-41.5%

investment in fixed capital

21.5%

investment in inventories

-0.5%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture

0.8%

industry

26.7%

services

72.5% (2014 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$58,100 (2014 est.)

$57,000 (2013 est.)

$55,900 (2012 est.)

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2% (2014 est.)

1.9% (2013 est.)

1.1% (2012 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$712.1 billion (2014 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$472.8 billion (2014 est.)

$463.6 billion (2013 est.)

$454.8 billion (2012 est.)

note

data are in 2014 US dollars

Gross national saving

32.4% of GDP (2014 est.)

36.6% of GDP (2013 est.)

30% of GDP (2012 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

19% (2007)

lowest 10%

7.5%

Imports

$333.8 billion (2014 est.)

$321.1 billion (2013 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

Germany 28%, Italy 9.7%, France 8.1%, US 6.6%, China 6.5%, Austria 4.7% (2014)

Industrial production growth rate

2.2% (2014 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0% (2014 est.)

-0.2% (2013 est.)

Labor force

5.008 million (2014 est.)

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.)

$932.2 billion (31 December 2011)

$1.229 trillion (31 December 2010 est.)

Population below poverty line

7.6% (2011 est.)

Public debt

34.7% of GDP (2014 est.)

35.5% of GDP (2013 est.)

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 Special Drawing Rights (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 2014 est.)

$535.9 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.347 trillion (31 December 2014 est.)

$1.301 trillion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$1.601 trillion (31 December 2014 est.)

$1.536 trillion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$1.091 trillion (31 December 2014 est.)

$1.062 trillion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.283 trillion (31 December 2014 est.)

$1.237 trillion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$567.7 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

$570.5 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

33.6% of GDP (2014 est.)

Unemployment rate

3.2% (2014 est.)

3.2% (2013 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

42.97 million Mt (2012 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - imports

69,980 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - production

100 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2014 est.)

Electricity - consumption

58.97 billion kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - exports

31.8 billion kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

3% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

75.6% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

17.9% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

3.5% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)

Electricity - imports

29.38 billion kWh (2013 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

20.04 million kW (2011 est.)

Electricity - production

65.54 billion kWh (2012 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

3.777 billion cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

3.764 billion cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

13 million cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

263,600 bbl/day (2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

7,585 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

176,900 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

73,160 bbl/day (2012 est.)

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 users

percent of population

88.0% (2014 est.)

total

7.1 million

Radio broadcast stations

AM 3, FM 106 (plus many low-power stations), shortwave 3 (2008)

Telephone system

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

general assessment

highly developed telecommunications infrastructure with excellent domestic and international services

international

country code - 41; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean) (2011)

Telephones - fixed lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

54 (2014 est.)

total subscriptions

4.37 million

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

142 (2014 est.)

total

11.5 million

Television broadcast stations

106 (2007)

Airports

63 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

12

2,438 to 3,047 m

2

914 to 1,523 m

6

over 3,047 m

3

total

40

under 914 m

17 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

23 (2013)

total

23

Heliports

2 (2013)

Merchant marine

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)

total

38

Pipelines

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

Ports and terminals

river port(s)

Basel (Rhine)

Railways

narrow gauge

2 km 1.200-m gauge (2 km electrified); 1,188.3 km 1.000-m gauge (1,167.3 km electrified); 36.4 km 0.800-m gauge (36.4 km electrified) (2014)

standard gauge

4,424.8 km 1.435-m gauge (3,634.1 km electrified)

total

5,651.5 km

Roadways

paved

71,464 km (includes 1,415 of expressways) (2011)

total

71,464 km

Waterways

1,292 km (there are 1,227 km of waterways on lakes and rivers for public transport and 65 km on the Rhine River between Basel-Rheinfelden and Schaffhausen-Bodensee for commercial goods transport) (2010)

Manpower available for military service

females age 16-49

1,786,552 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,828,043

Manpower fit for military service

females age 16-49

1,459,450 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,493,509

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

female

42,585 (2010 est.)

male

46,562

Military branches

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

Military expenditures

0.64% of GDP (2014)

0.69% of GDP (2013)

0.76% of GDP (2012)

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)

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)

16,091 (Eritrea); 5,161 (Syria) (2014)

stateless persons

76 (2014)