Fun facts about Switzerland

March 17, 2023 Bern

Although Switzerland is famous for its chocolate, watches, and banks, there are some surprising and lesser-known facts about this country. Discover what makes Switzerland stand out and delve into fascinating trivia about Switzerland that kids would find interesting. These unusual facts about Switzerland provide insight into Swiss culture, peculiarities, innovations, and much more.

The Swiss Marry Late

According to a United Nations report, the typical age for men to get married in Switzerland is 31.8, while women get married at an average age of 29.5. However, The Local CH reports that the divorce rate in Switzerland is around 40%. Additionally, the Central Intelligence Agency has published data indicating that the average age for Swiss women to have their first child is 30.4 years old, which is the highest in Europe. This means that Swiss women are the oldest in Europe to have their first child.

Switzerland Has 7000 Lakes

Switzerland is home to numerous beautiful lakes that are perfect for swimming. Among them, Lake Geneva is the largest, covering an area of 580.03 km2 (224 sq mi). Interestingly, Lake Geneva is shared with France, where it is known as Lac Léman, with 40.47% of its area lying in French territory. The largest lake that is entirely within Switzerland is Lake Neuchâtel, covering a surface area of 218.3 km2 (84 sq mi). The freshwater in Switzerland is renowned for being crystal clear, and it is so clean that you can even drink from the rivers and lakes. A lake is only considered dirty if its bottom is not visible.

It’s Very Small

Switzerland has a land area of approximately 41,277 sq km and a population of 8.67 million people. To put this in perspective, the state of California in the United States is almost ten times larger than Switzerland or approximately the combined size of Vermont and New Hampshire. Despite its relatively small size, Switzerland is famous for many things beyond its physical dimensions.

Is Home to Two of the Most Livable Cities in the World

The concept of liveability evaluates various locations around the world based on their living conditions. This assessment considers five main categories: Stability, Healthcare, Culture and Environment, Education, and Infrastructure. According to these criteria, Zurich and Geneva are among the most livable cities in the world.

They Drink a Lot

The Swiss population has an average alcohol consumption of 36 liters of wine, 56.5 liters of beer, and 8.4 liters of pure alcohol per person annually, according to recent data. However, these figures show a decline in alcohol consumption compared to previous years. It is common for 20% of Swiss people to engage in binge drinking, defined as consuming 4-5 drinks in a single sitting, at least once a month.

Sadly, there are approximately 1,600 alcohol-related deaths in Switzerland each year, with some resulting from alcohol-fueled accidents and others caused by the long-term effects of alcoholism, such as liver problems. According to Addiction Monitoring in Switzerland, there are roughly 250,000 alcoholics in Switzerland, which is around 3% of the population.

They Make & Eat a Lot of Chocolate

Switzerland is renowned worldwide for its high-quality chocolate, and the amount of chocolate produced and consumed there is staggering. Approximately 180,000 tons of chocolate is produced in Switzerland each year, and the Swiss people consume around 11 kilos of chocolate per person annually. Chocolate is such an essential part of Swiss culture that there is even a chocolate train that takes visitors on a scenic journey through the Swiss countryside while serving chocolate delicacies on board.

Birthplace of the Red Cross

Many people are unaware that the Swiss flag’s similarity to the emblem of the Red Cross is not a coincidence. The Swiss flag is essentially a color-inverted version of the Flag of Switzerland, symbolizing the country’s deep roots and heritage. The Red Cross, which has 97 million volunteers worldwide, was established in 1863 in Geneva, Switzerland, where its headquarters remain to this day.