Middle income group

In the following text, the middle income group includes all persons living in a household with an equivalised gross income of between 70% and 150% of the median equivalised gross income of the year observed. The analyses are based on the results of two surveys: the Household Budget Survey (HBS), which is more appropriate for longer time series and financial analysis (see “Evolution of the middle income group” and “Increase of compulsory expenditure”), and the Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (SILC) for the additional studies on the middle income group.

Evolution of the middle income group

Overall, the percentage of the population belonging to the middle income group remained stable from 1998 to 2020. It was at its highest (61.3%) in 2009 and its lowest (54.4%) in 2018. Nevertheless, we cannot speak of a clear change in this group over the entire period considered.

Certain trends can, however, be identified. For example, a slight decrease can be seen in the percentage of the population belonging to the middle income group from 2003 to 2007/2008. Following brief increases in 2009, 2015 and 2019, a slight decline can be seen again in the respective subsequent years. In 2010 and 2016, the decline was accompanied by a proportionate increase in both the lower and higher income groups. In 2020, the share of the middle income group showed a slight downward tendency in favour of the high income group, and stood at 55.4%.

Increase of compulsory expenditure

That the middle income group has to face an excessive burden of compulsory expenditure is not borne out by statistics. It is proportionally somewhat higher in the lowest and highest income groups than in the “middle”.

An increase in this expenditure has been recognized in all income groups since 1998. The greatest increase is seen in the lowest income group, where it particularly concerns people living alone or in partner households and households which own their own home.

Additional studies on the middle income group

To complete the annually updated indicators, the FSO also conducts more in-depth studies on the middle income group, taking a closer look at certain topics. These publications can be downloaded free of charge at “Further information/publications” on our French or German pages.

How stable is the middle income group over time?

The middle class is relatively stable in Switzerland, even when considered over several years. More than four-fifths of the population belonging to the middle class in 2017 remained in this class the following year during the observation period from 2017 to 2020, with around two-thirds even remaining in it for at least four consecutive years. Just over a third experienced at least one move up or down into another income group. The share of the population that moves from the middle class to the upper class is more or less equivalent to the share that moves from the middle class to the lower class. However, income mobility is marked between the lower middle class and the upper middle class.

For detailed information, see the report “Stabilité de la classe moyenne au fil du temps“ (available in French and German).

How does the "middle" live?

The housing situation of the middle income group in Switzerland is generally comfortable. Housing problems such as high occupancy density, damp dwellings or an excessive housing cost burden are more likely to affect lower income groups. In certain respects, however, it is a tale of two middle groups: In the lower middle group, 40.8% live in their own apartment or house, in the upper middle group this figure is above 50%. Also in the lower middle group, one in ten people are confronted with excessively high housing costs, whereas in the upper middle group, 3.6% are faced with this problem.

For detailed information, see the report “Comment la classe moyenne est-elle logée?“ (available in French and German).

How much does the middle income group work?

Compared with the highest income group, the middle income group works fewer hours and has a lower share of employed persons. Its share of dual income households is lower than among the highest income group. These values are higher in relation to the lowest income group. In certain aspects of working life (flexible working conditions, subjective assessments of working life), the middle income group is nonetheless disadvantaged compared with the highest income group. However, it should be considered that the middle income group is not uniform and that there are differences between the upper and lower ranges of the middle income group.

For detailed information, see the report “Combien travaille la classe moyenne?“ (available in French and German).

How is the middle income group faring?

There can be quite substantial differences in the actual living situations within the middle income group. The upper middle group shows generally a rather high quality of life in 2013, whereas the lower middle group faced some deficiencies in various domains, especially with respect to the financial situation, to education and, in some cases, to the quality of housing. One in four faced financial difficulties in the lower middle group, while this figure was only one in ten for the upper middle. Among the lower middle group, social contacts were considerably fewer and trust in Switzerland’s political and legal systems far lower than among the upper middle.

For detailed information, see the report “Comment se porte la classe moyenne?“ (available in French and German).

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