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-The most popular sport in Switzerland is skiing. The Swiss also partake in Schwingen, a type of wrestling, as well as Steinstossen, where they throw stones far distances.

-The accordion was invented in Switzerland to be used in their famous folk music.

-Cheese and other forms of dairy are widely used in Swiss cuisine. There are many French, Italian, and German influences on the food.

-Folk dancing involving traditional dress and Scottish influences is a popular form of dance.
-During the end of January in  Château-d'Oex there is a festival of hot air balloons.
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The main religion is Christianity.

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Switzerland houses 33 organizations. 23 in Geneva, which holds the United Nations and Red Cross and other organizations.

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~Switzerland has a Federal Republic.
Citizens elect officials to run the government
~ Switzerland has a Federation which is a group of states or provinces that come together for their benefit
~Switzerland has a regular democracy but, but they are the closest to a direct democracy(People have a considerable amount of say in the country)~A direct republic is a country ruled by a college of several people who operate the powers of a head of state

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Public debt is equivalent to 45.6 percent of GDP and the value of exports and imports taken together equals 115 percent of GDP.

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Download PDF

Quick Facts

Population:

GDP (PPP):

$680.9 billion

1.4% 5-year compound annual growth

$78,530 per capita

Unemployment:

Inflation (CPI):

Public Debt:

Switzerland's economic freedom score is 83.8, making its economy the 2nd freest in the 2023 Index. Its score is about the same as last year. Switzerland is ranked 1st out of 44 countries in the Europe region, and its overall score is higher than the world and regional averages.

Well-secured property rights, including for intellectual property, promote entrepreneurship and productivity. Minimum tolerance for corruption is institutionalized in an efficient legal framework. The judicial system, independent of political influence, ensures effective enforcement of commercial contracts. Switzerland's openness to foreign trade and investment continues to encourage a dynamic and resilient economy.

Background

Switzerland's federal canton system of government disperses power widely. A seven-member Federal Council exercises executive authority. Though open to the world, Switzerland jealously guards its independence and neutrality. In 2019 elections, the Green Party surged to fourth place and overtook one of the parties in the coalition government, the Christian Democrats. Public policies are often subjected to referenda on such issues as legalizing same-sex marriage and banning tobacco advertising to minors. Switzerland has one of the world's highest GDPs per capita and a highly skilled labor force. The economy relies on financial services, precision manufacturing, metals, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and electronics.

Rule of Law

The overall rule of law is very well respected in Switzerland. The country's property rights score is above the world average; its judicial effectiveness score is above the world average; and its government integrity score is above the world average.

Government Size

The top individual and corporate tax rates are, respectively, 40 percent and 24 percent. The tax burden equals 27.6 percent of GDP. Three-year government spending and budget balance averages are, respectively, 34.7 percent and -0.8 percent of GDP. Public debt equals 42.1 percent of GDP.

Regulatory Efficiency

The competitive and modern regulatory framework strongly supports commercial activity, allowing business formation and operation to be efficient and dynamic. Labor regulations are relatively flexible in comparison to other countries in the region. Overall monetary stability has been well maintained.

Open Markets

The trade-weighted average tariff rate is 1.7 percent. Switzerland's economy continues to be open to foreign investment, and the investment code is transparent and efficiently administered. The modern and highly developed financial sector provides a wide range of financing instruments.

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Download PDF Quick Facts Population: GDP (PPP): $680.9 billion 1.4% 5-year compound annual growth $78,530 per capita Unemployment: Inflation (CPI): Public Debt: Switzerland's economic freedom score is 83.8, making its economy the 2nd freest in the 2023 Index. Its score is about the same as last year.

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~In 2002 Switzerland joined the UN
~In 2014, Switzerland stricken immigration laws.
~In 2011 Japans nuclear meltdown influenced Switzerland to be the first countries to phase out nuclear power.

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-The portrait of Le Corbusier (1887-1965)
-Letzigraben open-air swimming pool in Zurich made by Max Frisch (1911–1991)
-Vals Thermal Spa (1996)

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As befits Switzerland with its tradition of discretion, the country's most admired buildings do not include any of the world's tallest or most expensive structures. What is surprising is the breadth and variety of quality that extends from the mountains to the plains and from the peripheral regions to the cities.