New Analysis
Guaranteed Benefits for Cantonal Banks
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A majority of cantonal banks benefit from extensive state privileges: first, explicit state guarantees; second, tax exemptions. As a result, the federal government loses considerable tax revenues, and the national fiscal equalization is distorted, as Senior Fellow Lukas Schmid shows in his latest analysis. Read now. |
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The Figure
The Swiss Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the increase in prices of goods and services for a household. Health expenses account for 15 percent of the typical basket. This value has remained fairly stable over the last ten years, which puts the alarmist talk of an explosion in premiums into perspective. (Sonia Estevez, Jérôme Cosandey)
Source: Federal Statistical Office |
Business Location Rankings
Many Podium Finishes for Switzerland – Except in Artificial Intelligence
Switzerland has ranked among the world's most competitive countries for years. It remains unrivaled, particularly in innovation and talent attractiveness. Yet, in the crucial field of artificial intelligence (AI), it is losing ground. How does that add up? Patrick Leisibach and Agustina Rodriguez Widmer take a closer look at the latest location rankings. Learn more about the topic here. |
A Comparison of Swiss Cities
Unchecked Growth in Public Administration?
A new analysis by Lukas Rühli and Livia Hollenstein shows that in Basel, Bern, and Zurich, municipal administration has grown significantly faster than the population over the past ten years. Other cities prove that this does not have to be the case: Lausanne managed to slightly reduce the number of municipal employees from 2011 to 2022, and in Winterthur, the growth of municipal staff was slower than the population increase. Learn here why the disproportionately high growth of administration is problematic. |
New Essential
A Tax That Overpromises
The financial transaction tax is a perennial political issue. As Senior Fellow Michele Salvi points out, one key aspect is often overlooked: Switzerland already levies such a tax – the stamp duty. This tax has problematic effects, and international experience shows that transaction taxes generally fall short of expectations. Find an overview of the key facts in our latest Essential. |
On Our Own Behalf
Jérôme Cosandey Moves to Seco
After more than 13 years at Avenir Suisse, Jérôme Cosandey will assume the role of Head of the Directorate for Labor at the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (Seco) in mid-May 2025. As Directeur romand, he has played a pivotal role in shaping our think tank’s presence in French-speaking Switzerland, representing us both with expertise and personable demeanor. Jerôme is also a highly respected authority on healthcare and social policy on the other side of the Röstigraben – something that has not gone unnoticed by Seco. While we are sorry to see Jérôme go, we are truly happy for him and wish him all the best in this exciting new professional chapter. The search for his successor is already underway. |
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