United States compared to Switzerland

If you lived in Switzerland instead of United States, you would:

Health

live 2.6 years longer

In United States, the average life expectancy is 80 years (78 years for men, 82 years for women). In Switzerland, that number is 83 years (80 years for men, 85 years for women).

be 46.1% less likely to be obese

In United States, 36.2% of adults are obese. In Switzerland, that number is 19.5% of people.

Economy

be 31.8% less likely to be unemployed

In United States, 4.4% of adults are unemployed. In Switzerland, that number is 3.0%.

be 56.3% less likely to be live below the poverty line

In United States, 15.1% live below the poverty line. In Switzerland, however, that number is 6.6%.

Life

be 64.3% less likely to die during childbirth

In United States, approximately 14.0 women per 1,000 births die during labor. In Switzerland, 5.0 women do.

be 37.9% less likely to die during infancy

In United States, approximately 5.8 children die before they reach the age of one. In Switzerland, on the other hand, 3.6 children do.

have 16.0% less children

In United States, there are approximately 12.5 babies per 1,000 people. In Switzerland, there are 10.5 babies per 1,000 people.

Basic Needs

be 17.3% more likely to have internet access

In United States, approximately 76.2% of the population has internet access. In Switzerland, about 89.4% do.

Expenditures

spend 31.6% less on healthcare

United States spends 17.1% of its total GDP on healthcare. In Switzerland, that number is 11.7% of GDP.

Learn more about Switzerland

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.

How big is Switzerland compared to United States? See an in-depth size comparison.