Switzerland
Switzerland is a landlocked country in Western Europe, bordered by Germany to the north, France to the west, Italy to the south, and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east.
Switzerland
Switzerland is a landlocked country in Western Europe, bordered by Germany to the north, France to the west, Italy to the south, and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east. Its capital is Bern. The country is a federal republic with a strong tradition of direct democracy and neutrality, and it hosts many international organisations. The economy is highly developed, with a focus on services, finance, pharmaceuticals, and precision manufacturing. The population is concentrated on the Swiss Plateau, with the Alps covering roughly 60% of the territory. Four languages are recognised as national languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansh. Data from the World Bank and UN indicate a high-income economy with high human development, but specific numbers must be checked against the latest official releases.
Classification identifiers
Switzerland’s standard international identifiers come from the United Nations Statistical Commission and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The UN M49 classification lists Switzerland under code 756; its ISO alpha-2 code is CH and its ISO alpha-3 code is CHE. The UN assigns Switzerland to the region of Europe and the subregion of Western Europe, and lists it as a UN member state. The World Bank capital field for Switzerland is Bern. These identifiers are statistical and administrative, not territorial claims; they tell you how international bodies file and compare data, not where political borders are drawn.
| Attribute | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| UN M49 code | 756 | UN Statistics Division |
| ISO alpha-2 | CH | ISO |
| ISO alpha-3 | CHE | ISO |
| UN region | Europe | UN M49 |
| UN subregion | Western Europe | UN M49 |
| UN membership | Member state | UN |
| World Bank capital field | Bern | World Bank country API |
The UN M49 overview assigns these codes and regional groupings. The World Bank country API returns the capital field and other basic attributes in JSON format. These identifiers are classification conventions, not political positions on territorial questions.
How to verify current data
Switzerland’s population was about 8.9 million in 2024, but that figure changes constantly. Do not treat any single number as permanent. For the current estimate, go to the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (FSO), which publishes quarterly population figures. The United Nations World Population Prospects also provides annual estimates and projections; the latest revision is from 2024. Census data, by contrast, is a count conducted roughly every ten years; the last Swiss census was in 2020, using the register-based method. Always name the source and reference year when citing population, because the UN, the World Bank, and the Swiss FSO use different definitions and update cycles.
Language
The FSO reports the main languages spoken at home or as principal languages. German (or Swiss German) is the most widely spoken, at about 62% of the population in 2020, followed by French (about 23%), Italian (about 8%), and Romansh (about 0.5%). These figures come from the FSO and reflect the population aged 15 and over. The four are recognised as national languages, though the legal status of Romansh as an official language is limited to dealings with Romansh speakers. The country also has substantial immigrant languages, including English and Portuguese, but those are not official national languages. For current percentages, check the FSO’s language statistics, as census methodology and question wording change over time. Do not assume a single “Swiss language” exists; language geography is regional, not uniform.
Currency
The Swiss franc (CHF) is the official currency. The Swiss National Bank (SNB) issues banknotes, and the federal government mints coins via Swissmint. Exchange rates are volatile and are published by the SNB. Do not use a static conversion rate; always check the SNB or a major financial data provider for the current rate before making comparisons.
Government and politics
Switzerland is a federal republic with elements of direct democracy. The Federal Council (Bundesrat/Conseil fédéral/Consiglio federale) is the seven-member executive. The federal legislature is the Federal Assembly, composed of the National Council and the Council of States. The political system is defined by the Swiss Federal Constitution of 1999. Federalism and direct democracy are core features: citizens can challenge laws via referendum and propose constitutional amendments via initiative. The federal structure includes 26 cantons. For current leadership, electoral results, and announcements, consult the Swiss Federal Chancellery and the FSO. The government’s portal is admin.ch, and the FSO is at bfs.admin.ch. Neutrality is a defining foreign-policy orientation, but Switzerland is not a member of the European Union; it is part of the Schengen Area and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
Economy
The World Bank publishes GDP, GDP per capita (PPP), Gini index, and income classification. It classifies Switzerland as a high-income economy, updated each 1 July. The IMF’s World Economic Outlook provides projections. The OECD publishes country surveys. Each source uses different methodology and reference years; when comparing figures across nations, always verify that you are comparing the same indicator, same year, and same source, or note the discrepancy. The World Bank’s country profile page for Switzerland is the primary data source. Data are drawn from official national accounts, the IMF, and national sources. Cross-country comparisons should use the same dataset and year; never mix GDP nominal and GDP PPP in the same table. The World Bank’s API returns metadata and indicators; the country code is CHE.
Travel and safety
Getting current entry rules requires checking your own government’s foreign ministry or the IATA Travel Centre. Switzerland is part of the Schengen area; short stays for many nationalities are visa-free up to 90 days in any 180-day period, but this is a general statement, not legal advice. Always check official sources before travel.
In an emergency, call the European emergency number 112. For consular help, contact your own country’s embassy or consulate. Check your own government’s travel advisory before planning or booking.
Political and territorial context
Switzerland is a recognised member state of the United Nations. Its capital is Bern according to the World Bank and Swiss sources. The country is not a member of the European Union, though it participates in some EU single market agreements.
Core reference sources
- UN M49 overview
- World Bank country API
- WHO country page
- UNESCO country page
- IANA root zone database for .ch
- Switzerland’s Federal Statistical Office (FSO)
- Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA)
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