One of the reasons is that more and more people in Switzerland prefer not to have children. Almost one fifth of those in their 20s say they don’t want kids. But many still like the idea of taking on responsibility. Hence, the market for pets is booming. On the flip side: thousands of dogs, cats, rabbits, fish, birds and other creatures are abandoned or turned over to animal shelters every year. Swiss Animal Protection, Switzerland’s leading animal welfare organisation, takes in 32,000 unwanted pets a year alone.
Source: Swiss Animal Protection (SAP)
Many around the country are wondering how long it will be before Switzerland’s population surpasses ten million. Well, it may take a while yet, given that Switzerland’s birth rate has fallen to a record low of 1.29 children per female.
Source: Federal Statistical Office, 2024 survey
Fewer kids. Abandoned pets. This cannot only be down to a lack of money. The average full-time monthly gross wage in the country has increased to 7,024 francs, which should be more than enough to cover the cost of raising 1.29 children – with enough change left over to feed two or three guinea pigs.
Source: Federal Statistical Office, 2025
But maybe the average wage is misleading, suggesting that everyone in Switzerland is doing fine. In an extensive report, the federal government has revealed that nine per cent of the Swiss population live below the poverty line, i.e. earn less than the minimum needed to get by. This percentage has never fallen in ten years, despite the government pledging to reduce poverty.
Source: Federal Social Insurance Office, 2025
If the average wage has increased and the poverty rate remains high, then perhaps the wealthy have become even wealthier. Indeed they have. In 2025, the total wealth owned by the 300 richest Swiss climbed to a record high of 850 billion francs.
Source: Bilanz business magazine, annual survey
Comments