The average floor space per occupant is calculated by dividing the total surface area of dwellings by the total number of their occupants. This indicator is examined from various aspects: household characteristics, buildings and dwellings.
Average floor space per occupant
|
m2 by occupant |
|---|---|
| Switzerland | 46.5 |
| Zurich | 44.9 |
| Bern | 46.7 |
| Lucerne | 47.2 |
| Uri | 47.6 |
| Schwytz | 50.3 |
| Obwalden | 49.5 |
| Nidwalden | 50.6 |
| Glarus | 50.4 |
| Zug | 47.5 |
| Fribourg | 46.1 |
| Solothurn | 50.3 |
| Basel-Stadt | 41.2 |
| Basel-Landschaft | 48.5 |
| Schaffhausen | 51.3 |
| Appenzell Ausserrhoden | 51.7 |
| Appenzell Innerrhoden | 51.9 |
| St. Gallen | 48.3 |
| Graubünden | 47.9 |
| Aargau | 50.1 |
| Thurgau | 52.0 |
| Ticino | 49.3 |
| Vaud | 43.3 |
| Valais | 47.1 |
| Neuchâtel | 45.9 |
| Geneva | 37.5 |
| Jura | 48.9 |
| Number of rooms | Floor space per occupant |
|---|---|
| Total | 46.5m2 |
| 1 room | 30.0m2 |
| 2 rooms | 43.1m2 |
| 3 rooms | 43.1m2 |
| 4 rooms | 42.9m2 |
| 5 rooms | 50.6m2 |
| 6 rooms and more | 60.7m2 |
| Period of construction | Floor space per occupant |
|---|---|
| Total | 46.5m2 |
| before 1919 | 47.5m2 |
| 1919 - 1945 | 45.0m2 |
| 1946 - 1960 | 41.3m2 |
| 1961 - 1970 | 41.5m2 |
| 1971 - 1980 | 46.2m2 |
| 1981 - 1990 | 49.7m2 |
| 1991 - 2000 | 49.9m2 |
| 2001 - 2005 | 50.5m2 |
| 2006 - 2010 | 49.0m2 |
| 2011 - 2015 | 48.3m2 |
| 2016 - 2021 | 46.7m2 |
Average floor space by household characteristics
The average floor space per person also varies in accordance with the characteristics of the household occupying it, such as nationality or the age of its members.
Multiple person households with all Swiss national members have an average space of living of 45m2 per person. The average space of living for multiple person households with all foreign national members comes to 31m2 per person.
How floor space per person is calculated
From 2012, floor space per person has been calculated on the basis of harmonised registers. This has entailed changes to the previous system that was based on the population census conducted every 10 years.
Further information
Statistical sources and concepts
