Quality of life comparison

compared to

If you lived in Switzerland instead of France, you would:

Economy

make 40.8% more money

France has a GDP per capita of $44,100 as of 2017, while in Switzerland, the GDP per capita is $62,100 as of 2017.

be 66.0% less likely to be unemployed

In France, 9.4% of adults are unemployed as of 2017. In Switzerland, that number is 3.2% as of 2017.

be 53.5% less likely to live below the poverty line

In France, 14.2% live below the poverty line as of 2015. In Switzerland, however, that number is 6.6% as of 2014.

pay a 20.3% lower top tax rate

France has a top tax rate of 50.2% as of 2016. In Switzerland, the top tax rate is 40.0% as of 2016.

Life

be 37.5% less likely to die during childbirth

In France, approximately 8.0 women per 100,000 births die during labor as of 2017. In Switzerland, 5.0 women do as of 2017.

have 11.8% fewer children

In France, there are approximately 11.9 babies per 1,000 people as of 2020. In Switzerland, there are 10.5 babies per 1,000 people as of 2020.

The statistics above were calculated using the following data sources: The World Factbook, Direction Générale des Finances Publiques, Swiss Federal Tax Administration.

Switzerland: At a glance

Switzerland is a sovereign country in Europe, with a total land area of approximately 39,997 sq km. The Swiss Confederation was founded in 1291 as a defensive alliance among three cantons. In succeeding years, other localities joined the original three. The Swiss Confederation secured its independence from the Holy Roman Empire in 1499. A constitution of 1848, subsequently modified in 1874, replaced the confederation with a centralized federal government. Switzerland's sovereignty and neutrality have long been honored by the major European powers, and the country was not involved in either of the two world wars. The political and economic integration of Europe over the past half century, as well as Switzerland's role in many UN and international organizations, has strengthened Switzerland's ties with its neighbors. However, the country did not officially become a UN member until 2002. Switzerland remains active in many UN and international organizations but retains a strong commitment to neutrality.
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How big is Switzerland compared to France? See an in-depth size comparison.

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