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Two Lowest: Civil Engagement is 3.4 and Housing with a 6.2 

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Two Lowest: Civil Engagement is 3.4 and Housing with a 6.2 

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Civil Engagement is the only category that Austria has a higher score on

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Switzerland performs very well in many measures of well-being relative to most other countries in the Better Life Index. Switzerland ranks above the average in subjective well-being, jobs and earnings, income and wealth, health status, social connections, environmental quality, education and skills, work-life balance, housing and personal security, but ranks below average in civic engagement.

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Two Highest: Life Satisfaction is rated a 9.9 out of 10 and safety is a 9.7 out of 10

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Two Highest: Life Satisfaction is rated a 9.9 out of 10 and safety is a 9.7 out of 10

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There scores far out weigh Austria

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Switzerland performs very well in many measures of well-being relative to most other countries in the Better Life Index. Switzerland ranks above the average in subjective well-being, jobs and earnings, income and wealth, health status, social connections, environmental quality, education and skills, work-life balance, housing and personal security, but ranks below average in civic engagement.

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Saddle in the Bernese Alps
Home to  two four-thousander.  ( Peaks over 4,000 meters above sea level

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AKA top of Europe

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Border Between Italy and Switzerland

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The Matterhorn is a pyramidal-shaped colossus, standing at 14,690 feet

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On the graph in the article it shows a massive decrease from 2002-2003.  Since then the stability of Switzerland has increased massively but is still not at the state it was in 2000.

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On the graph in the article it shows a massive decrease from 2002-2003.  Since then the stability of Switzerland has increased massively but is still not at the state it was in 2000.

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Switzerland Political stability - data, chart | TheGlobalEconomy.com

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Switzerland: Political stability index (-2.5 weak; 2.5 strong): For that indicator, The World Bank provides data for Switzerland from 1996 to 2016. The average value for Switzerland during that period was 1.34 points with a minumum of 1.2 points in 2005 and a maximum of 1.58 points in 2000.

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Swiss Folk Music (Yodeling, Polka, Alphorn and more...)

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Designed By Mario Botta
Scenic Views

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As a predominantly mountainous country Switzerland has traditionally been one of the strongest nations in the sport of alpine skiing, where it has a long-running rivalry with the neighbouring nation of Austria. The Swiss reached their peak in the sport in the 1980s, when they won the overall Nations' Cup in the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup for seven consecutive years from 1981 to 1987.

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Switzerland residents have voted to restrict imigration form migrants

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"Switzerland is the closest country in the world with a Direct Democracy"

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"Switzerland is the closest country in the world with a Direct Democracy"

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AKA a pure democracy

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What Type of Government Does Switzerland Have?

Switzerland is the closest state in the world to have a direct democracy where citizens may challenge any law voted by the federal assembly. Switzerland's Executive, Judicial and Legislative institutions are organized on federal, cantonal and communal levels. Switzerland, unlike many of other European states, does not have a President or a Prime Minister, and the country's citizens are at the pinnacle of power.

Federal Assembly Of Switzerland

The Federal Assembly or the legislature is comprised of the National Council and the Council of States. The Council of States consists of 46 members who represent the cantons. After every four years, citizens of Switzerland vote for 200 members to constitute the National Council. The two chambers of parliament undertake legislative duties, and their sessions in parliament are open for citizens to attend. Any citizen can challenge any law or amendments proposed by the Federal Assembly.

Federal Council Of Switzerland

Six members constitute the Executive branch that is the Federal Council of Switzerland. They engage in what can be termed as the collective presidency and are elected by parliament. Each of these members leads a federal department (ministry). The country's seven departments are Finances, Economy and Education, Internal Affairs, Defense and Sports, Energy, Traffic and Environment, and Justice.

The members of the Federal Council are from the four top parties in the country, and this greatly helps in forming a stable government. There is no limit to the term of office as a member of the Federal Council.

The President of the Swiss Confederation, a largely ceremonial role, rotates among the members every year. The representative President represents the country in international conferences, sets the agenda to be discussed during the weekly conferences and addresses the citizens on national holidays.

Judiciary Of Switzerland

Heading the judiciary is the Federal Supreme Court. Judges to the Court are elected by the Federal Assembly after every six years. The Supreme Court is the top court of appeal after the cantonal courts. The Supreme Court also receives appeals on administrative rulings of the federal administration.

Cantonal Administrations

Cantons in the Swish Federations organize themselves in respect to laws and policies, the federal constitution and minorities. Every canton has its constitution and elects an average of 5 members to make up the cantonal government. Most of the cantons also have one parliament. The federal government's delegates many of its duties to the cantonal administrations. 6 of the 26 cantons in the country are regarded as half-cantons, but all cantons have equal rights of autonomy and competencies. Cantons have armed police forces and run universities and hospitals and collect income taxes.

Elections And Referenda

The Swiss electorate can vote at least four times on matters of national proposals every year. The Swiss electorate has more say in national and cantonal affairs than anywhere else in the world. The Swiss electorates elect members of the cantonal governments and the Federal Assembly.

Political Parties In Switzerland

Five major parties are represented in the country's Federal Council. These parties are Free Democratic Party, Christian Democratic Party, Social Democratic Party, Conservative Democratic Party of Switzerland, and Swiss People's Party.

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What Type Of Government Does Switzerland Have?

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Switzerland is the closest state in the world to have a direct democracy where citizens may challenge any law voted by the federal assembly. Switzerland's Executive, Judicial and Legislative institutions are organized on federal, cantonal and communal levels.

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(In Geneva Switzerland)

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The world trade organization is based out of Geneva Switzerland

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Based on international trade and banking

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Switzerland has a highly successful market economy based on international trade and banking. Its standards of living, worker productivity, quality of education, and health care are higher than any other European country. Inflation is low, and unemployment is negligible. The economy is heavily dependent on foreign guest workers, who represent approximately 20% of the labor force. Agriculture employs less than 5% of the population, and since only 10% of the land is arable, the primary agricultural products are cattle and dairy goods (especially cheeses); grains, fruits, and vegetables are also grown, and there is a large chocolate-processing industry. Mineral resources are scarce, and most raw materials and many food products must be imported. Tourism adds significantly to the economy. Electricity is generated chiefly from hydroelectrical and nuclear power sources.

Switzerland has a worldwide reputation for the high quality of its export manufactures, which include machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments, and diverse high-tech products. Centered in Basel, the chemical-pharmaceutical industry exports around the globe. Due to its central location in Europe and the stability of its politics and currency, Switzerland has become one of the world's most important financial centers. The banking, insurance, shipping, and freighting industries accommodate the enormous amount of international trade going through Switzerland. Banking has also benefited secrecy laws, which have led wealthy foreigners to evade taxes by hiding assets with Swiss banks. In recent years, however, that secrecy reduced as a result of pressure from foreign governments seeking to prosecute tax cheats. Imports include manufactured goods, vehicles, and clothing and textiles. Its most important trading partners are Germany, Italy, France, the United States, and Great Britain.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2012, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

See more Encyclopedia articles on: Swiss Political Geography

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Switzerland has a highly successful market economy based on international trade and banking. Its standards of living, worker productivity, quality of education, and health care are higher than any other European country. Inflation is low, and unemployment is negligible. The economy is heavily dependent on foreign guest workers, who represent approximately 20% of the labor force.

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Ranked 12th

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GDP - per capita (PPP) - Country Comparison

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List of countries ranked by GDP - per capita (PPP).

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Ranked 19th in world

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In 2021, the United States and China would remain the largest economy in nominal and PPP, respectively. Tuvalu would be the world's smallest economy in both methods. In exchange rate methods, the largest economy, the United States, represents a slightly less than quarter share (24.2%) of the global economy, while the smallest economy Tuvalu contributes only 0.00006 percent. In PPP, the biggest economy, China shares 18.8% of the world, and lowest-ranked Tuvalu shares 0.00004 percent.

In nominal data, Germany would cross the $4 trillion mark for the first time. Seventeen economies would have gdp above $1 trillion as the Netherlands is the new entrant in the trillion-dollar economy. Sixty-four would have an economy of above $100 billion.

Out of 194 economies, gdp (nominal) of 175 economies would increase, and 19 economies would decrease in 2021 compared to 2020. With $1.92 tn, China will be the top contributor, followed by United States ($1.7 tn), Germany ($516 bn), United Kingdom ($414 bn), India ($341 bn). The top five decliners would be Myanmar ($-5.1 bn), Venezuela ($-4.7 bn), Ethiopia ($-2.6 bn), Mozambique ($-0.4 bn), Costa Rica ($-0.3 bn). Haiti (+17) would climb most in the nominal ranking, followed by Macao SAR (+9), Brunei Darussalam (+7), and Chad (+5). Georgia (-7), Mozambique (-6), Venezuela (-5), and Myanmar (-5) would lose most in the ranking.

In ppp data, 29 economies would have gdp above Int. $1 trillion in 2021. Argentina and the Philippines will again cross Int. $1,000 bn marks. Nighty-three economies would have an economy of greater than Int. $100 billion. Turkmenistan, Bolivia, and Cameroon are projected to move above Int. $100 bn.

Out of 194 economies, gdp (ppp) of 183 economies would increase, and 11 economies would decrease in 2021 compared to 2020. China ($2514 bn), United States ($1743 bn), India ($1300 bn), Japan ($273 bn), and Germany ($247 bn) would be the top gainers. Myanmar ($-20.2 bn), Venezuela ($-11.6 bn), Lebanon ($-6.3 bn), Timor-Leste ($-0.3 bn), and Samoa ($-0.1 bn) would be the top decliners. Libya would improve its rank by 27 spots, followed by Macao SAR (+15). Myanmar (-5), Lebanon (-5), Mozambique (-4), and Zimbabwe (-4) are the top decliners in the ppp ranking.

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Countries by Projected GDP 2021 - StatisticsTimes.com

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In 2021, the United States and China would remain the largest economy in nominal and PPP, respectively. Tuvalu would be the world's smallest economy in both methods. In exchange rate methods, the largest economy, the United States, represents a slightly less than quarter share (24.2%) of the global economy, while the smallest economy Tuvalu contributes only 0.00006 percent.

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Geneva is home to the international commit of red cross.

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The Most Populated Cities in Switzerland

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The Most Populated Cities in Switzerland

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Zurich 380,000
Geneva 190,000
Basel 170,000
Bern 130,000

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Switzerland taxes heavily and this causes tension with other countries

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Roman catholic 38.2%
protestant 26.9%
Christian 5.6%
Muslim 5%