Government gross debt in Switzerland

International Monetary Fund · Annual · Importance

IMF forecast (WEO): 2026: 38.5% 2027: 37.5% 2028: 36.3% 2029: 35.4% 2030: 34.3% 2031: 33.5%

52.0 (1999) ANUAL · % of GDP · Annual · CSV

Period	% of GDP
Jan 1999	52.0
Jan 1998	55.3
Jan 1997	52.9
Jan 1996	50.6
Jan 1995	49.3
Jan 1994	46.4
Jan 1993	43.7
Jan 1992	38.9
Jan 1991	34.6
Jan 1990	32.8

About this indicator

Source

International Monetary Fund

Frequency

Annual

Release

Published annually (with quarterly advance estimates in some economies), subject to revision with the national accounts.

What it is

Government gross debt is the total liabilities owed by Switzerland's general government to its creditors. It is usually shown in absolute terms and, above all, as a percentage of GDP to gauge sustainability, and is published by the Federal Finance Administration, covering the Confederation, cantons and municipalities.

How it's calculated

It is compiled by summing liabilities of all tiers of government (securities, loans and deposits) consolidated across subsectors, following national-accounts standards. The debt-to-GDP ratio relates that stock to the size of the economy and is also computed on the IMF gross definition for comparison.

Market implications

Switzerland stands out for very low public debt, underpinned by its debt-brake rule (Schuldenbremse), which reinforces its safe-haven status and the strength of the franc. Its level and trend matter mainly as a benchmark of fiscal discipline and of AAA credit quality.

Limitations

It is a low-frequency, revisable figure. The ratio to GDP depends on both the debt stock and nominal GDP, so it can move with no change in borrowing; several definitions also coexist (gross, EDP-equivalent, by tier of government) that are not directly comparable.