Overview: Expanding industrial production combined with low inflation and unemployment gives Switzerland one of the world's most prosperous economies, despite its having few natural resources. The nation's success can be interpreted as a product of sound economic policies. Management-labor relations are harmonious with few disputes. By sticking to a consistent anti-inflationary policy based on a slow and steady growth in the money supply and a balanced budget, the government has set a steady course for continued growth.

GNP: $171.2 billion, per capita $25,970; real growth rate 2.6% (1988)

Inflation rate (consumer prices): 2.2% (1988 est.)

Unemployment rate: 0.7% (1988 est.)

Budget: revenues $16.2 billion; expenditures $16.1 billion, including capital expenditures of NA (1987)

Exports: $45.5 billion (f.o.b., 1987); @m5commodities--machinery and equipment, precision instruments, metal products, foodstuffs, textiles and clothing; @m5partners--Europe 64% (EC 56%, other 8%), US 9%, Japan 4%

Imports: $50.7 billion (c.i.f., 1987); @m5commodities--agricultural products, machinery and transportation equipment, chemicals, textiles, construction materials; @m5partners--Europe 79% (EC 72%, other 7%), US 5%

External debt: $NA

Industrial production: growth rate 2.0% (1987)

Electricity: 17,708,000 kW capacity; 58,485 million kWh produced, 8,870 kWh per capita (1988)

Industries: machinery, chemicals, watches, textiles, precision instruments

Agriculture: dairy farming predominates; less than 50% self-sufficient; food shortages--fish, refined sugar, fats and oils (other than butter), grains, eggs, fruits, vegetables, meat

Aid: donor--ODA and OOF commitments (1970-86), $2.0 billion

Currency: Swiss franc, franken, or franco (plural--francs, franken, or franchi); 1 Swiss franc, franken, or franco (SwF) = 100 centimes, rappen, or centesimi

Exchange rates: Swiss francs, franken, or franchi (SwF) per US$1--1.5590 (January 1989), 1.4633 (1988), 1.4912 (1987), 1.7989 (1986), 2.4571 (1985)

Fiscal year: calendar year

NOTE: The information regarding Switzerland on this page is re-published from the 1989 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Switzerland Economy 1989 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Switzerland Economy 1989 should be addressed to the CIA.