Positive forecast for Swiss jobs and wages in 2025
Switzerland’s labour market will continue to be robust next year, with a number of sectors needing more workers — including foreign ones — to fill the vacancies.
Besides industries which suffer from chronic personnel shortages — such as healthcare, IT, and construction — new and emerging fields like artificial intelligence and automation also lack qualified personnel.
Salaries too are expected to increase, though only slightly — between 1.4 and 1.6 percent on average.
READ ALSO: What to expect in Switzerland in 2025 for work permits, jobs and wages
It is now illegal to cover your face in Switzerland
The so-called ‘anti-burqa” law is in effect in Switzerland from January 1st, after being approved in a referendum in 2021.
Supporters of the initiative argued that the ban would reaffirm the fundamental Western (versus Islamic) values and also ensure safety and security by preventing “masked delinquents” from perpetrating crimes and not being able to be identified.
There will, however, be exceptions to the new rule — for instance, face coverings will be allowed on airplanes, in places of worship, as well as for health reasons or for artistic purposes.
READ ALSO: How will Swiss ban on face coverings work?
Pay hikes go into effect in four ‘minimum wage’ cantons
As of January 1st, salaries went up in four of the five cantons in Switzerland which have minimum wage laws.
Geneva's pay will increase from 24.32 to 24.48 francs an hour; in Basel-City it will rise from 21 to 22 francs, in Neuchâtel from from 21 to 21.31 francs, and in Ticino, the hourly rate will go from 20 to 20.50 francs.
The only canton without the pay raise this year is Jura, because the minimum wage was already increased there from 20.60 to 21.40 francs an hour in July 2024.
READ ALSO: Four Swiss cantons increase minimum wage
Swiss franc remains strong against the euro
Economists expect the Swiss franc to retain its strong value against the euro in 2025.
The strong local currency will not benefit Switzerland's export-based industries, because over 40 percent of the country’s production is sent to its main trading partners in the eurozone.
Strong franc also means that Swiss goods are too expensive abroad.
However, the strong franc - weaker euro combination will make imported goods cheaper for Swiss consumers.
READ ALSO: How will the Swiss franc fare against the euro in 2025?
Geneva residents will experience some positive developments in their city and canton
From January 1st, Geneva residents up to and including the age of 24 are able to use the public transport for free.
But this project is only open to those who either live or study in Geneva.
The only exception to this rule are cross-border commuters in this age group who study in the canton.
The offer is valid on the entire UNIRESO network – trams, trolleybuses, and water buses called ‘Mouettes Genevoises’ — the zone covering all of canton Geneva.
Canton’s residents are also getting a tax break from 2025: 5.3 percent less for the highest income brackets, and up to 11.3 percent less for the middle class.
READ ALSO: The major changes you can expect in Geneva in 2025
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