Brief Review

Main Economic Indicators

The country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), after declining in 2006 (dropped from 264.1 billion in 2005 to 252.9 billion in 2006) rebounded in 2007 to 300.2 billion. The economy continued to do well throughout the first three quarters of 2008, but went into significant decline during the fourth quarter. It marks the first time in nearly two years that the Swiss economy did not experience growth.

In 2007, debt sat at 1.34 billion, up from 1.08 billion in 2006. Unemployment in 2005 was 3.8%, but dropped to 2.5% in 2007. By January 2009, it started increasing and sat at 3.3%.

The outlook for 2009 follows that of many other countries in that little growth is expected. Private analysts have put Switzerland's economic growth at between .05% and 1% for the year. Inflation is projected to trend at 0.7% while unemployment continues to inch upward.