February 23, 2026, 11:15 amFebruary 23, 2026, 11:15 am
By international comparison, Swiss families are well off, satisfied and socially mobile. The poverty rate for households with children is around 6 percent, which is very low across Europe. This is the conclusion reached by the Institute for Swiss Economic Policy.
The influence of origin on later income has also been stable for 40 years and is low in international comparison, according to a statement on Monday about the study “Evidence-based family policy in Switzerland: What works and how?” of the Institute for Swiss Economic Policy (IWP) at the University of Lucerne. The study also showed a high level of life satisfaction among families in Switzerland.
The results would therefore contradict a widespread opinion that countries with more extensive state support are generally better off.
Lower government spending than in neighboring countries
It is noteworthy that Switzerland achieves these goals with significantly lower government spending than many neighboring countries. While Germany, France, Austria and the Netherlands spend around 3 to 5 percent of their public spending on family policy, Switzerland has spent 1 to 2 percent for decades.
According to the study, family structures and realities of life have changed fundamentally over the last three decades. Parents today have similarly high educational qualifications, the majority of mothers are employed with increasing workloads and families have fewer children on average. The role models have also shifted accordingly: the classic one-breadwinner model is no longer typical for the majority of families.
This social change has also changed expectations of family policy. While family policy measures before the turn of the millennium would have primarily served to provide financial security, today framework conditions for a better compatibility of family and work are becoming more important.
Targeted adjustments
According to the study, this development is also reflected in public budgets. The share of family-related expenditure in the total expenditure of cantons and municipalities has more than doubled since 2000.
However, the study authors warn that a blanket expansion of family policy benefits is not advisable. It makes sense to make targeted adjustments for the benefit of disadvantaged children, single parents and low-income households – “without over-extending the existing, functioning framework”. (sda)