Housing conditions

The analysis of housing conditions shows how dwellings are occupied by private households. The analysis takes into account the type of occupant (tenant / owner), the occupant density by room and by dwelling, as well as the average per capita living space. These indicators are examined from various aspects: household characteristics, buildings and dwellings.

Switzerland is a country of tenants. At the end of 2021, there were 2,4 million tenant households and 1,4 owner-occupier households.

Occupancy status since 1980

	1980	1990	2000	2021	IC*
Occupied dwellings	2,391,691	2,800,953	3,027,829	3,910,559	0.1
Rented dwellings	1,601,196	1,861,704	1,929,448	2,366,257	0.4
Owner-occupied dwellings	720,137	877,892	1,047,447	1,420,941	0.5
Other situation1)	70,358	61,357	50,934	123,361	2.3

1) Other situation: dwelling provided free of charge by relative or employer, employee accommodation (e.g. caretaker dwelling), lease.
*Confidence interval 2021: ± (in %)
Sources: FS0 - Federal population census, structural survey

Occupant density per room (average number of occupants per room) and the number of persons in the dwelling (average number of persons per dwelling) are two additional indicators for housing conditions.

Occupant density was 0,59 persons per room in 2022.

Occupant density by room since 1970

	1970	1980	1990	2000	2022
Occupants per room	0.79	0.70	0.63	0.59	0.59

Sources: FSO - Federal Population Census, Buildings and dwellings statistics

In 2022, there was an average of 2,2 persons per dwelling. In 1970 this figure was 2,9.

Occupant density by dwelling since 1970

	1970	1980	1990	2000	2022
Occupants per dwelling	2.9	2.5	2.4	2.3	2.2

Sources: FSO - Federal Population Census, Buildings and dwellings statistics

The difference between the average living space of single-family houses and that of dwellings in mutli-family houses is smaller in recent constructions than in older ones.

Further information

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Statistical sources and concepts

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