Country profile
Switzerland
A high-value exporter of pharmaceuticals, chemicals, watches and precision machinery; gold refining makes up a large share of trade.
Updated 11 November 2026. Sources at the bottom of the page.
- Capital
- Bern
- Population
- 9.12 million (2026)
- Currency
- Swiss franc (CHF)
- GDP, 2026
- US$1.14 trillion
- Exports, 2025
- US$554 billion
- Exchange rate
- 1 USD = 0.82 CHF (10 Nov 2026)
Economy
IMF World Economic Outlook, October 2026. 2026 and 2027 are IMF projections.
1.9%Real GDP growth, 2026
1.2%Real GDP growth, 2027
0.7%Inflation, 2026
3%Unemployment, 2026
38.3% of GDPGovernment debt, 2026
6.2% of GDPCurrent account, 2026
Compare Switzerland with other countries →
Trade
Top export markets
Share of the country’s exports, 2025
- United States (21.9%)
- Germany (11%)
- United Kingdom (10.5%)
- China (6.5%)
- France (5.9%)
Main exports
Product groups, share of exports
- Gems and precious metals, mainly gold (39.9%)
- Pharmaceuticals (21.7%)
- Organic chemicals (9.1%)
- Clocks and watches (5.6%)
- Machinery, including computers (4.7%)
Main trade agreements
- EU–Switzerland free trade and bilateral agreements
- EFTA free trade agreements with about 40 partners
- Switzerland–China, Switzerland–Japan and other bilateral agreements
Trade policy to watch
- No industrial tariffs: Switzerland abolished import duties on industrial goods on 1 January 2024.
- Relations with the EU: Switzerland is not in the EU customs union, so goods crossing the border need customs declarations. A new package of agreements with the EU is going through approval.
- Strong franc: the franc is a safe-haven currency and often strengthens in times of stress, raising Swiss costs.
Energy
Hydropower produces about 60% of Switzerland's electricity and nuclear about 30%. Oil and gas are imported.
What it means for your supply chain
- Gold refining inflates Swiss export totals; pharmaceuticals and machinery are the core industrial exports.
- Switzerland is a source of medical devices, precision components, machine tools and specialty chemicals.
- Expect high prices and long-term supplier relationships.
Switzerland in the Supplier Hub
6 companies in the Supplier Hub are listed under Switzerland.
Sources
- IMF, World Economic Outlook, October 2026: GDP, growth, inflation, unemployment, government debt, current account (2026 and 2027 are projections; updated automatically).
- IMF, World Economic Outlook database: population (2026 estimate).
- World’s Top Exports: export markets and main exports.
- Bank of Canada, daily exchange rates (cross rates calculated from CAD rates; updated daily).
- Energy Institute, Statistical Review of World Energy 2026: energy profile.
Figures are the latest published at the time of the update and may since have been revised. This page is for general information, not investment or legal advice.