Neuchâtel, 26.08.2011 (FSO) - According to initial Swiss National Accounts estimates by the Federal Statistical Office, the Swiss economy registered significant growth in gross domestic product (GDP) in 2010. GDP rose by 2.7% at the previous year's prices (-1.9% in 2009). Taking a slight rise in the general price level into account, GDP at current prices stood at 2.8%. The dynamism of exports and investments underpinned the growth of the Swiss economy in 2010 and was also reflected in an increase in the value added of the secondary and tertiary sectors. Gross national income (GNI) at current prices registered, for its part, a very positive development (+6.9%), following already exceptional growth in 2009 (+9.1%).
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Neuchâtel, 20.06.2011 (FSO) - According to preliminary estimates from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), foreign visitors (including short stay visitors) spent CHF 15.6 billion in Switzerland in 2010, about 230 million more than in the previous year (+1.5%). At the same time, the expenditure of Swiss travellers abroad fell by CHF 222 million (-1.9%) to CHF 11.6 billion. The result for the tourism balance of payments was an surplus of CHF 4.0 billion (+CHF 452 billion compared with the previous year).
Neuchâtel, 17.05.2011 (FSO) - In an international comparison, Swiss companies spent substantial sums on their research and development (R&D) activities in 2008. This investment was not only marked in Switzerland, but also in foreign affiliates. These expenditures abroad do not, however, call into question the dynamism of R&D in Switzerland. The marked internationalisation of Swiss R&D, the intensification of international exchanges and the growing participation of the Swiss federal government in international research projects are the key findings of a new analysis by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
Neuchâtel, 26.08.10 (FSO) - According to initial Swiss National Accounts estimates by the Federal Statistical Office, the Swiss economy registered a significant fall in gross domestic product (GDP) in 2009. The latter fell by 1.6% at current prices. In view of the slight rise in the general price level, GDP at the previous year's prices fell 1.9% compared with +1.9% in 2008. Final household consumer spending grew by 1.0% helping to contain the decline in GDP. Gross national income (GNI) at current prices registered, for its part, exceptionally positive growth (+10.2%), after a marked fall in 2008 (-3.8%).
Neuchâtel, 22.06.2010 (FSO) - According to preliminary estimates from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), foreign visitors (including visitors with short-term residence permits) spent CHF 15 billion in Switzerland in 2009, almost 600 million less than in the previous year (-3.8%). At the same time, the expenditure of Swiss travellers abroad fell by CHF 277 million (-2.4%) to CHF 11.5 billion. The result for the tourism balance of payments was an active balance of CHF 3.5 billion (-CHF 316 billion compared with the previous year).
Neuchâtel, 14.06.2010 (FSO) - According to estimates from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), private enterprise, the Swiss government and the universities spent CHF 16.3 billion on research and development (R&D) activities in 2008. This is an increase of CHF 3.2 billion (+24%) over 2004, the last year for which data are available. This R&D expenditure accounts for 3% of the gross domestic product (GDP), making Switzerland a country that is particularly active in the area of R&D.
Neuchâtel, 16.02.2010 (FSO) - Private enterprises spent almost CHF 12 billion on research and development activities (R&D) they conducted in Switzerland in 2008. This amount exceeds by CHF 2.3 billion (+24%) the expenditures posted in 2004 (9.6 billion), the last year surveyed. This result enables Switzerland to remain at the top of the world ranking. Moreover, Swiss enterprises are rapidly globalising their R&D activities. These are the main results of a study carried out by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) in partnership with economiesuisse.
Neuchâtel, 07.12.2009 (FSO) - Although science is no longer a male prerogative, an analysis by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) of the European Commission's publication "She Figures 2009" shows that in Switzerland, as elsewhere in Europe, gender equality has not yet been accomplished in this domain. While the numbers show that women's participation in scientific research has generally been growing at a faster rate than men's over the past decade, this trend has not yet led to gender equality, either in Switzerland or in the rest of Europe. Published every three years, since 2003 "She Figures" has presented indicators on women's participation in scientific research in Europe. It is used by the European Union as a point of reference to evaluate progress towards gender equality in this field. The figures presented here refer mainly to data from 2006 and 2007.
Neuchâtel, 28.08.2008 (FSO) - According to initial Swiss National Accounts estimates by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), the Swiss economy registered sustained gross domestic product (GDP) growth in 2008. GDP at current prices increased by 4%. In view of the rise in the general price level, GDP at the previous year's price gained 1.8% compared with 3.6 % in 2007. Gross national income (GNI) at current prices registered, for its part, exceptionally negative growth (-4.7%).
Neuchâtel, 06.07.2009 (FSO) - According to calculations by the Federal Statistical Office, the Confederation's support for research and development (R&D) increased by CHF 175 million between 2006 and 2008, reaching a record CHF 1.527 billion. This result, a 13% increase compared with 2006, is part of a trend observed since the beginning of the millennium. It is mainly due to the sharp increase in third-party financing through contributions from the Confederation. R&D conducted by the Confederation for its own use is registering only slow growth.
Neuchâtel, 24.06.2009 (FSO) - The Swiss National Bank (SNB) has revised export figures for bank fees from the balance of payments following the publication of final figures from the National Accounts 2005. Due to this substantial modification, an extraordinary adjustment to the results of the National Accounts 2005 is necessary. The result is slightly higher real growth in the gross domestic product (from 2.5% to 2.6%). Furthermore, thanks to more comprehensive statistical information, the figures of the National Accounts 2006 and 2007 have been revised. The growth in the gross domestic product (GDP) has been adjusted upwards to 3.6% (previously 3.4%) for 2006 and 3.6% (previously 3.3%) for 2007. The latest information available indicates greater growth in the export of financial services as well as in private household consumption. The supply side, however, registers stronger growth in trade as well as in non-financial services than was previously estimated.
Neuchâtel, 18.06.2009 (FSO) - According to preliminary estimates from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), foreign visitors (including visitors with short-term residence permits) spent CHF 15.6 billion in Switzerland in 2008, a little over 1 billion more than in the previous year (+6.7%). At the same time, the expenditure of Swiss travellers abroad fell by CHF 283 million (-2.3%) to CHF 11.8 billion.The result for the tourism balance of payments was an active balance of CHF 3.8 billion (+CHF 1.3 billion compared with the previous year).
Neuchâtel, 22.01.2009 (FSO) - Switzerland has improved its performance in the field of innovation and is now European leader. While maintaining its traditional strong points, it has gradually caught up with other European countries in areas where it had been lagging, such as education and research funding. This strengthening at high level is the main conclusion drawn by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) from the analysis of the eighth edition of “European Innovation Scoreboard”.
Neuchâtel, 08.12.2008 (FSO) - According to findings from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), qualified workers benefit greatly from periods of economic growth, whereas poorly qualified workers are more affected by periods of economic downturn. At such times the latter lose their jobs in greater numbers. Between 1991 and 2006, the Swiss economy was able to draw upon a growing number of qualified workers, and the quality of the workforce grew (+0.36% per year on average). The main explanatory factor for this trend is the continuous rise in the level of education.
10,710 new homes were built in Switzerland in the 2nd quarter 2008. Compared to a year earlier, this represents an increase of almost 6 percent. At the end of June 2008, 60,570 homes were under construction, which in annual comparison amounts to a 2 percent drop. From April to June, the number of homes with planning permission rose by almost 7 percent to 13,150 dwellings.
Neuchâtel, 29.08.2008 (FSO) - According to the Federal Statistical Office's (FSO's) first estimates of the annual national accounts, the Swiss economy reports strong gross domestic product (GDP) growth in 2007. At current prices the GDP increased by 5.2%. Taking into account the rise in the general price level, at the previous year's prices the GDP increased by 3.3% compared to 3.4% in 2006. The gross national income (GNI) at current prices shows a less significant positive development (+2.8%).
