Quarter of Swiss companies fail to pay bills on time
Companies in French-speaking Switzerland featured high up in the ranking.
Keystone
Nearly a quarter of businesses in Switzerland did not pay their bills on time in 2017, found the business information service Bisnode D&BExternal link in a survey published on Wednesday.
This content was published on
1 minute
SDA-ATS/ln
The exact figure was 23.3% which was only 0.3% fewer late-payers compared to 2016. The average delay of payments was also shorter in 2017, averaging 14.4 days, compared to 15.7 in 2016.
It was noticeable how many companies in French-speaking Switzerland featured high in the ranking, with 32.9-41.2% of businesses in the region not paying on time. Bern and the cantons of central Switzerland were most likely to settle bills without delay.
Most defaulting payers could be found in the clothing, hospitality and automobile sectors. Around a third of these companies were in arrears.
By contrast, recruitment agencies, the finance, real estate and insurance sectors were most likely to settle bills on time, with only between 10.8% and 13.1% of businesses falling behind with their payments.
More
More
Struggling to pay the bills in a wealthy nation
This content was published on
A Swiss social policy expert explains how nearly one-in-eight people living in Switzerland qualify as working poor, or at risk of poverty.
As a Swiss Abroad, how do you feel about the emergence of more conservative family policies in some US states?
In recent years several US states have adopted more conservative policies on family issues, abortion and education. As a Swiss citizen living there, how do you view this development?
Experts lower Swiss growth forecasts due to US trade tensions
This content was published on
The uncertainty caused by ongoing trade conflicts is making companies hesitant to make decisions, which significantly hinders investment.
Swiss abbot resumes role following abuse investigation
This content was published on
Scarcella was accused in the Catholic Church abuse scandal last autumn. In October 2024, the Vatican declared there was no evidence of abuse or harassment against him.
Swiss stock exchange operator SIX to cut 150 jobs in efficiency drive
This content was published on
"We're not revealing the number of job losses at each location at the moment," said a SIX spokesperson. However, there will be cuts in Switzerland as well.
Martin Pfister named new Swiss government minister
This content was published on
Pfister’s election keeps the linguistic balance of Switzerland’s government, but shifts gender balance to only two women.
Swiss interior minister meets UN leaders in New York for women’s rights session
This content was published on
The Swiss interior minister also held bilateral meetings with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Sima Sami Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women
The image of foreigners in Switzerland has deteriorated
This content was published on
The Federal Statistical Office has found that Swiss people’s views of foreigners have worsened over the last couple of years.
After mild winter, nature wakes up earlier in Switzerland
This content was published on
Once again this year, nature has woken up earlier than normal, between a week and ten days ahead of schedule due to a mild winter.
Computer failure disrupts air traffic at Geneva airport
This content was published on
A computer breakdown has disrupted operations at Geneva Airport since midday on Tuesday. Significant delays are expected.
Swiss show high willingness to pay for sustainable flats
This content was published on
Tenants in Switzerland are in favour of sustainable flats. However, the willingness to pay differs by income according to a new study.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
One in five Swiss residents can’t pay an unexpected bill
This content was published on
Last year, 21.5% of Swiss residents lived in a household that would have been unable to pay a bill for CHF2,500 ($2,518) within a month, reports the Swiss Federal Statistical OfficeExternal link in its Survey on Income and Living ConditionsExternal link. This was especially true for single parents, unemployed people and foreigners from outside Europe. Such…
This content was published on
The Swiss had an average net household disposable income in 2015 of CHF6,957 ($7,007) a month, the Federal Statistical Office has reported.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.