Economic Growth
Economic growth and high labour productivity are key prerequisites for maintaining and increasing our prosperity. The Federal Council places great importance on a long‑term and competition‑oriented growth policy. SECO regularly analyses the development of the Swiss economy as well as existing challenges and derives the need for action from these assessments.
In the view of the Federal Council, a sustainable strengthening of Switzerland’s economic location can primarily be achieved through the continuous improvement of economic framework conditions and the reduction of companies’ production costs. Switzerland offers, in many respects, excellent framework conditions, including reliable infrastructure, a high‑quality education and research system, comparatively lean regulation, a stable macroeconomic environment and moderate tax levels. The Federal Council is continuously committed to preserving and further enhancing these strengths. This policy is, in principle, sector‑ and technology‑neutral and benefits all companies operating in Switzerland.
An important basis for the Federal Council’s growth policy is the economic situation report on the Swiss economy. At the beginning of each legislative period, the situation report assesses the key economic developments of the preceding years and analyses the potential for improving economic framework conditions in an international comparison. Building on this, the Federal Council’s economic policy agenda identifies the main initiatives required to address the existing challenges.
- Foreign industrial policy has limited effects on Switzerland (in German)
Press release on the 2024 Economic Situation Report
In addition, the OECD’s economic country reports provide valuable insights from an external perspective. Every two years, the OECD country reports analyse and comment on the economic situation and economic policy of the member countries and issue policy recommendations.
Further analyses aimed at improving the economic framework conditions can be found in the study series
SECO also regularly produces estimates of scenarios for the long‑term development of gross domestic product (GDP):
Relevant topics
Economic forecasts
The Federal Government Expert Group on Business Cycles updates its forecasts on a quarterly basis.
Foundations for Economic Policy
“Foundations for Economic Policy” is a SECO publication series that presents commissioned research studies on economic policy issues. The series covers a broad range of topics – from competition law and labour markets to regulation and growth policy – and is generally published in one main language with summaries in the other national languages as well as in English. It serves as a scientific basis supporting the economic policy decisions of the Swiss Federal Council.
Personenfreizügigkeit und Arbeitsbeziehungen
Flankierende Massnahmen gegen missbräuchliche Lohn- und Arbeitsbedingungen, Bekämpfung von Schwarzarbeit. Allgemeinverbindlicherklärung von Gesamtarbeitsverträgen und Aufsicht über Personalverleiher und -vermittler.
Contact
Economic Policy Directorate
Growth and Competition Policy
Holzikofenweg 36
CH - 3003 Bern