Switzerland
Switzerland has a stable, modern and one of the most capitalist economies in the world. It has the 2nd highest European rating after Ireland in the Index of Economic Freedom 2008, while also providing large coverage through public services. The nominal per capita GDP is higher than those of the larger western European economies and Japan, ranking 6th behind Luxembourg, Norway, Qatar, Iceland and Ireland.The Greater Z?rich Area, home to 1.5 million employees and 150,000 companies, has taken top position in some life quality surveys.Engadin Valley, tourism constitutes an important revenue for the less industrialized alpine regions. If adjusted for purchasing power parity, Switzerland ranks 15th in the world for GDP per capita. The World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness Report currently ranks Switzerland’s economy as the most competitive in the world. For much of the 20th century, Switzerland was the wealthiest country in Europe by a considerable margin. In 2005 the median household income in Switzerland was an estimated 95,000 CHF, the equivalent of roughly 81,000 USD (as of Nov. 2008) in purchasing power parity, which is similar to wealthy American states like California.
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Demographic Data |
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Economic Data |
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Cultural & Other Data |
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GDP (PPP, $bn) |
309.9 |
Capital |
Bern |
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Area (sq. km.) |
41,290 |
GDP Real Growth (%) |
1.9 |
Other Large Cities |
Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Lausanne |
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Population (million) |
7.6 |
PerCap GDP ($) |
40,900 |
Primary Language |
German, French |
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Population Growth % |
0.276 |
Prime Lending Rate (%) |
3.15 |
Urban Population % |
73 |
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% Population Under 15yrs |
15.6 |
Inflation Rate% |
2.4 |
Urban Growth % |
0.5 |
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Population below poverty line (%) |
NA |
Unemployment% |
3 |
Literacy (% of population) |
99 |
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Agricultural Workers (% of population) |
4 |
Foreign Direct Investment($bn) |
333.8 |
Education spending as % of GDP |
5.8 |
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Industrial Workers (% of population) |
23 |
Debt-External ($bn) |
1340 |
CPI Score (1-10)* |
9.0 |
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Service Workers (% of population) |
73 |
Exports ($bn) |
172.7 |
Corporate Income Tax %*** |
8.5 |
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Labor Force (mil) |
4.04 |
Imports ($bn) |
212.8 |
Ease of Doing Business Ranking ** |
21 |
CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATE
05/28/09 $1 = 1.09 CHF
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