News
OECD analysis of Switzerland’s economic policy: Switzerland is well positioned – reforms needed to ensure competitiveness
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) published its report on Switzerland’s economic policy on 15 September. The OECD commends Switzerland’s economic policy approach. In light of a wide range of challenges, the report also identifies the need for action to safeguard Switzerland’s competitiveness and innovative capacity over the long term. This includes further reforming the healthcare and pension systems, reducing the administrative burden on businesses, utilising labour potential more effectively and increasing competition.
New special coin issue: Swissmint's 120-year-old building depicted in gold
On 17 September 2026, Swissmint will issue the new special coin “120 years of the Swissmint building”, which skilfully showcases the architectural highlights of this federal building in Bern.
Newsletter 496 (15.09.2026)
You could be interested by new pages which have been published on the OFCOM website between 01.09.2026 and 14.09.2026.
In 2025, a fifth of buildings were equipped with a heat pump
Switzerland had 1.8 million residential buildings and 4.88 million dwellings in 2025. A third (33%) of buildings were heated by oil and 17% by gas. A quarter of buildings were fitted with heat pumps. These are some of the results from the Buildings and Dwellings Statistics compiled by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
Audit of project Transport ’45
The Federal Council regularly submits to Parliament development programmes aimed at extending the road, rail and urban traffic networks. In early 2025 the Federal Council launched the Transport ’45 project. This seeks to coordinate transport infrastructure developments and set them in order of priority out to 2045 and beyond. The planned construction work was put out for consultation in June 2026 and the various projects will be presented to Parliament in early 2027. The Swiss Federal Audit Office has examined whether the projects under Transport ’45 have been put in a logical order of priority. It welcomes the principle of, for the first time ever, examining and presenting inter-departmental development projects and reconsidering old projects. However, the SFAO notes major weaknesses: the essential foundations for establishing a logical and sensible order of priority are lacking, especially as regards new developments. The SFAO informed the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) and the Federal Council of these weaknesses before the consultation opened. The SFAO called for the project to be halted until the key issues have been resolved. The call by the SFAO went unheeded.
La Genève internationale s’adapte aux changements structurels, renforce la coordination et gagne en efficience (fr)
Face aux changements géopolitiques et à leurs conséquences sur le multilatéralisme, la Genève internationale fait preuve de résilience. Les mesures urgentes engagées en 2025 par la Confédération, le Canton et la Ville de Genève portent leurs fruits : aucune organisation internationale n’a quitté la Suisse et deux nouvelles entités se sont installées à Genève ces derniers mois. Si une perte d’emplois dans le secteur international est à déplorer, elle reste moins importante que redouté. Les autorités hôtes renforcent leur collaboration pour consolider cette dynamique.
Administrative assistance in accordance with FATCA: notification of receipt of FATCA group requests pursuant to Article 12 paragraph 1 FATCA Act
The Federal Tax Administration has published FATCA group requests pursuant to Article 12 paragraph 1 FATCA Act.
Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter to attend meeting of EU's Economic and Financial Affairs Council
On 19 September 2026, Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter will attend the informal meeting of the EU's Economic and Financial Affairs Council (ECOFIN) in Ireland. The purpose of the meeting is to promote exchanges on international financial and tax issues.
Federal Councillor Rösti to attend the IAEA General Conference
On 14 and 15 September, Federal Councillor Albert Rösti will attend the 70th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, which runs until 18 September. As head of DETEC and Minister for Energy, he will represent Switzerland at the highest level.
Upper secondary education completed at the age of 25 or over: Income of CHF 5200 five years later
Of the approximately 90 000 first upper secondary qualifications awarded each year, 12% are completed by adults aged 25 or over, who number nearly 11 000. Five years before receiving their qualification, only 60% had earned an income from employment, and this group is over-represented among households with a low net equivalised income from employment (27%). Five years after obtaining their qualification, their situation had improved markedly: their income was close to that of the general population of the same age (CHF 5 200 per month), their employment rate stood at 80%, and they were, overall, under-represented among households with a low equivalent net income (17%). These are the main findings of a new publication from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
Producer and Import Price Index rose by 0.7% in August
The Producer and Import Price Index rose in August 2026 by 0.7% compared with the previous month, reaching 100.4 points (December 2025 = 100). In particular, petroleum products, chemical products, and petroleum and natural gas saw higher prices. Compared with August 2025, the price level of the whole range of domestic and imported products fell by 0.7%. These are the results of the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
State Secretary Martina Hirayama represents Switzerland at the International Space Summit in Paris
The International Space Summit, convened at the initiative of President Emmanuel Macron, was held in Paris on 9 and 10 September. High-level representatives from government, science, business, the military and civil society discussed shared visions and approaches to key issues raised by the growth in space activities. Switzerland was represented by State Secretary Martina Hirayama.
