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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

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 [time series]

.ch

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

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

Internet users [time series]

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

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

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)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

4.613 million (2011) country comparison to the world: 34

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

10.122 million (2011) country comparison to the world: 75

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

grains, fruits, vegetables; meat, eggs

Budget [time series]

revenues: $212.7 billion expenditures: $211.1 billion note: includes federal, cantonal, and municipal accounts (2012 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

0.3% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 34

Central bank discount rate [time series]

0.5% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 133 0.75% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

2.7% (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 179 2.72% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance [time series]

$66.1 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 $74.06 billion (2011 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$1.346 trillion (30 June 2011) country comparison to the world: 14 $1.2 trillion (30 September 2010)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

33.7 (2008) country comparison to the world: 94 33.1 (1992)

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

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 recovered in 2010 with 3.0% growth. 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 safehaven 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 to 1.9% in 2011 and 0.8% in 2012. 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 [time series]

Swiss francs (CHF) per US dollar - 0.9463 (2012 est.) 0.8876 (2011 est.) 1.0429 (2010 est.) 1.0881 (2009) 1.0774 (2008)

Exports [time series]

$298.3 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 21 $322 billion (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

machinery, chemicals, metals, watches, agricultural products

Exports - partners [time series]

Germany 20.2%, US 10.3%, Italy 7.8%, France 7.1%, UK 4.8%, China 4.3% (2011)

Fiscal year [time series]

calendar year

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$622.9 billion (2012 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$362.4 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 37 $359.3 billion (2011 est.) $352.5 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 1.3% industry: 27.7% services: 71% (2012 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$45,300 (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 14 $45,200 (2011 est.) $44,800 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

0.8% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 169 1.9% (2011 est.) 3% (2010 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

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

Imports [time series]

$289.4 billion (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 19 $317.5 billion (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

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

Imports - partners [time series]

Germany 32.3%, Italy 10.4%, France 8.6%, US 5%, Netherlands 4.4%, Austria 4.3% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

0.8% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 142

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

-0.9% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 1 0.2% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

20.6% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 88

Labor force [time series]

4.91 million (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 78

Labor force - by occupation [time series]

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

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$932.2 billion (31 December 2011) country comparison to the world: 13 $1.229 trillion (31 December 2010) $1.071 trillion (31 December 2009)

Population below poverty line [time series]

6.9% (2010)

Public debt [time series]

52.4% of GDP (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 58 54.5% of GDP (2010) 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 [time series]

$331.9 billion (31 December 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 7 $270.3 billion (2010 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$1.166 trillion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 $1.05 trillion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad [time series]

$1.063 trillion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 6 $994.1 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home [time series]

$634.3 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 9 $621.9 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$1.286 trillion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 16 $1.159 trillion (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$484.4 billion (31 December 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 11 $464.7 billion (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

34.2% of GDP (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 75

Unemployment rate [time series]

3% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 24 2.8% (2011 est.)

Energy

Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]

45.55 million Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 66

Crude oil - exports [time series]

0 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 189

Crude oil - imports [time series]

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

Crude oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 192

Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 191

Electricity - consumption [time series]

57.8 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 43

Electricity - exports [time series]

32.88 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 6

Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]

2.5% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 203

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]

69.2% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 24

Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]

16.6% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 14

Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]

2.5% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 52

Electricity - imports [time series]

33.4 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 8

Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]

17.7 million kW (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 39

Electricity - production [time series]

63.98 billion kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 42

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

3.681 billion cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 67

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 59

Natural gas - imports [time series]

3.681 billion cu m (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 38

Natural gas - production [time series]

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

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 195

Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]

258,200 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 51

Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]

9,851 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 86

Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]

176,500 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 31

Refined petroleum products - production [time series]

103,500 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 73

Geography

Area [time series]

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

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly less than twice the size of New Jersey

Climate [time series]

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

Coastline [time series]

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

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

Environment - current issues [time series]

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

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

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

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 2.52 cu km/yr (24%/74%/2%) per capita: 348 cu m/yr (2002)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

47 00 N, 8 00 E

Geography - note [time series]

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 [time series]

250 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries [time series]

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

Land use [time series]

arable land: 9.91% permanent crops: 0.58% other: 89.51% (2005)

Location [time series]

Central Europe, east of France, north of Italy

Map references [time series]

Europe

Maritime claims [time series]

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards [time series]

avalanches, landslides; flash floods

Natural resources [time series]

hydropower potential, timber, salt

Terrain [time series]

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

Total renewable water resources [time series]

53.3 cu km (2005)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

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, Fribourg, Geneve, Glarus, Graubuenden, Jura, Luzern, Neuchatel, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Sankt Gallen, Schaffhausen, Schwyz, Solothurn, Thurgau, Ticino, Uri, Valais, 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 [time series]

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 [time series]

revision of Constitution of 1874 approved by the Federal Parliament 18 December 1998, adopted by referendum 18 April 1999, officially entered into force 1 January 2000

Country name [time series]

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 [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Donald S. BEYER, Jr. 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 [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Manuel SAGER 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 [time series]

chief of state: President of the Swiss Confederation Ueli MAURER; Vice President Didier BURKHALTER; note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government representing the Federal Council; the Federal Council is the formal chief of state and head of government whose council members, rotating in one-year terms as federal president, represent the Council head of government: President of the Swiss Confederation Ueli MAURER (since 1 January 2013); Vice President Didier BURKHALTER (since 1 January 2013) 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 term (they may not serve consecutive terms); election last held on 5 December 2012 (next to be held in early December 2013) election results: Ueli MAURER elected president; number of Federal Assembly votes - 148 of 202; Didier BURKHALTER elected vice president

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

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 [time series]

formally a confederation but similar in structure to a federal republic

Independence [time series]

1 August 1291 (founding of the Swiss Confederation)

International law organization participation [time series]

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation [time series]

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, MONUSCO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIF, OPCW, OSCE, 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 [time series]

Federal Supreme Court (judges elected for six-year terms by the Federal Assembly)

Legal system [time series]

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

Legislative branch [time series]

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%, Greens 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(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "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, official adoption 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 [time series]

Founding of the Swiss Confederation, 1 August (1291)

National symbol(s) [time series]

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

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

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 parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

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.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

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

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

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

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

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

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Swiss Armed Forces: Land Forces, Swiss Air Force (Schweizer Luftwaffe) (2010)

Military expenditures [time series]

1% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 131

Military service age and obligation [time series]

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)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 15.2% (male 621,785/ female 586,205) 15-64 years: 67.6% (male 2,696,392/ female 2,665,191) 65 years and over: 17.1% (male 584,809/ female 771,135) (2012 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

10.4 births/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 184

Death rate [time series]

8.1 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 93

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

5.2% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 53

Ethnic groups [time series]

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

0.4% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 72

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

fewer than 100 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 134

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

18,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 81

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

11.3% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 15

Hospital bed density [time series]

5.31 beds/1,000 population (2008)

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 3.9 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 201 male: 4.3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 3.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

Languages [time series]

German (official) 63.7%, French (official) 20.4%, Italian (official) 6.5%, Serbo-Croatian 1.5%, Albanian 1.3%, Portuguese 1.2%, Spanish 1.1%, English 1%, Romansch (official) 0.5%, other 2.8% (2000 census) note: German, French, Italian, and Romansch are all national and official languages

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 81.17 years country comparison to the world: 17 male: 78.34 years female: 84.16 years (2012 est.)

Literacy [time series]

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

Major urban areas - population (Major cities - population) [time series]

Zurich 1.143 million; BERN (capital) 346,000 (2009)

Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]

8 deaths/100,000 live births (2010) country comparison to the world: 160

Median age [time series]

total: 42 years male: 40.9 years female: 43.1 years (2012 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Swiss (singular and plural) adjective: Swiss

Net migration rate [time series]

1.27 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 48

Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]

8.2% (2007) country comparison to the world: 59

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

4.07 physicians/1,000 population (2009)

Population [time series]

7,925,517 (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 95

Population growth rate [time series]

0.92% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 121

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic 41.8%, Protestant 35.3%, Muslim 4.3%, Orthodox 1.8%, other Christian 0.4%, other 1%, unspecified 4.3%, none 11.1% (2000 census)

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 16 years male: 16 years female: 15 years (2008)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.08 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

1.53 children born/woman (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 187

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

total: 8.2% country comparison to the world: 113 male: 7.7% female: 8.7% (2009)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 74% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 0.5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

none

Illicit drugs [time series]

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

Transportation

Airports [time series]

64 (2012) country comparison to the world: 79

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 41 over 3,047 m: 3 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 13 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 17 (2012)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 23 under 914 m: 23 (2012)

Heliports [time series]

1 (2012)

Merchant marine [time series]

total: 38 country comparison to the world: 76 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 [time series]

gas 1,681 km; oil 94 km; refined products 7 km (2010)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Basel

Railways [time series]

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 [time series]

total: 71,454 km country comparison to the world: 64 paved: 71,454 km (includes 1,790 of expressways) (2010)

Waterways [time series]

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