Switzerland - Public finance



The Swiss government has been known historically for maintaining a relatively high degree of austerity in comparison to its European neighbors. In 1991, the federal government incurred a budget deficit of over SwFr 1.5 billion, the first budget discrepancy in seven years. Cantonal budgets also were in deficit. These deficits continued throughout the 1990s, prompting governments at all levels to take further cost-cutting steps. As an international creditor, debt management policies are not relevant to Switzerland, which participates in the Paris Club debt reschedulings and is an active member of the OECD.

The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) estimates that in 2001 Switzerland's central government took in revenues of approximately $30 billion and had expenditures of $30 billion.

The following table shows an itemized breakdown of government revenues and expenditures. The percentages were calculated from data reported by the International Monetary Fund. The dollar amounts (millions) are based on the CIA estimates provided above.

Switzerland

REVENUE AND GRANTS 100.0% 30,000
Tax revenue 81.4% 24,409
Non-tax revenue 6.2% 1,852
Capital revenue 0.1% 19
Grants 12.4% 3,719
EXPENDITURES 100.0% 30,000
General public services 4.2% 1,259
Defense 4.6% 1,390
Public order and safety 0.5% 151
Education 2.4% 717
Health 19.5% 5,844
Social security 48.5% 14,562
Housing and community amenities 0.7% 200
Recreation, cultural, and religious affairs 0.4% 123
Economic affairs and services 10.3% 3,093
Other expenditures 5.5% 1,645
Interest payments 3.4% 1,018
Also read article about Switzerland from Wikipedia

User Contributions:

Hello, I'm a student from the University of Puerto Rico at Arecibo. I'm research investigation on Switzerland public finance. I need the most recent information.
The above information is helpful but from year 2001.
Is it possible to get the same information but from 2009? What site can you recommend?

Jorge
Thanks

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