Switzerland has a population of around 8.8 million people and is known for its remarkable diversity despite its small size. The Swiss population is characterised by a high standard of living and is one of the wealthiest in the world, with a GDP per capita among the highest globally. The country maintains a balanced demographic structure with a relatively low birth rate and a high life expectancy, contributing to an ageing population. Switzerland is also notable for its significant immigrant population, which constitutes about 25% of the total population, adding to its cultural and ethnic diversity.
Switzerland is not a member of the European Union (EU) but through bilateral agreements, Switzerland has access to the EU single market and participates in certain EU policies and programs. These agreements cover many areas, including trade, transport, and research. Switzerland’s relationship with the EU is often described as "bilateral", emphasising its independent but cooperative stance. This relationship has been periodically tested, especially regarding issues such as immigration and the free movement of people. This led to the Swiss government negotiating individual agreements rather than seeking full EU membership.
Switzerland is a multilingual and multicultural country with four official languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansh. Each language region has its own distinct cultural identity.
When asked what Switzerland is famous for, many people would mention watches, chocolate and banking. While this is a bit of a cliché, precision manufacturing, food processing and financial services are indeed some of the important sectors in the Swiss economy, along with life sciences, information technology, chemicals and, of course, tourism. As in most advanced economies, the services sector is the largest but the industrial sector also accounts for a higher proportion of the economy in Switzerland than in many other European countries.
