Flag description:
red square with a bold, equilateral white cross in the center that
does not extend to the edges of the flag
Economy Switzerland
Economy - overview:
Switzerland is a peaceful, prosperous, and stable modern market
economy with low unemployment, a highly skilled labor force, and a
per capita GDP larger than that of the big Western European
economies. The Swiss in recent years have brought their economic
practices largely into conformity with the EU's to enhance their
international competitiveness. Switzerland remains a safehaven for
investors, because it has maintained a degree of bank secrecy and
has kept up the franc's long-term external value. Reflecting the
anemic economic conditions of Europe, GDP growth dropped in 2001 to
about 0.8%, to 0.2% in 2002, and to -0.3% in 2003, with a small rise
to 1.8% in 2004-05. Even so, unemployment has remained at less than
half the EU average.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$240.9 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$367 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
1.9% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$32,200 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 1.5% industry: 34% services: 64.5% (2003 est.)
Labor force: 3.8 million (2005 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 4.6% industry: 26.3% services: 69.1% (1998)