Switzerland: prepare for population ageing to maintain high living standards | WPN World People News

Switzerland enjoys some of the highest per-capita GDP and living standards of OECD countries. Taking action now to prepare for a fast-ageing population will be key for the prosperity and well-being of future generations, according to a new OECD report.

The latest OECD Economic Survey of Switzerland says retiring baby boomers and rising life expectancy will lift the share of the population aged 65 or over to almost 30% by the 2050s, a faster rate of ageing than most OECD countries. The share of people over 80 will double by 2045 to 10%. Updating the pension system and lengthening working lives is crucial to ensure adequate old-age incomes for all and avoid ageing becoming a burden on firms and workers.

The Survey, presented in Bern by the OECD’s Director of Country Studies Alvaro Pereira alongside Swiss State Secretary Marie-Gabrielle Ineichen-Fleisch and Eric Scheidegger, head of the Economic Policy Directorate of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), projects 2019 growth slowing to 0.8% due to increased trade tensions, a deceleration in Europe and the fact 2018 was boosted by income from international sporting events, as Switzerland hosts related sports associations. Underlying growth will remain moderate in 2020 but GDP will again be lifted by sporting events. Given Switzerland’s open economy, risks to the outlook include escalating global trade tensions and economic uncertainty.

Switzerland benefits from high employment and productivity, and has avoided the rising inequality seen in most advanced economies. Yet the employment rate drops for older workers, and pension replacement rates are likely to fall over time, which risks raising income inequality. The burden of rising ageing-related spending will fall largely on cantons and municipalities.

Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development