Swiss keep up contraception habits

A quarter of younger sexually active women use the pill in Switzerland Keystone

Four out of five sexually active people aged 15-49 use contraception in Switzerland. This is slightly above the global average and has increased slightly since 1992, according to Swiss Health Observatory data.

Condoms and the pill are the most common form of contraception, particularly among younger people. This is followed by the coil and sterilisation in older age groups. Only around 2% of women use the morning-after pill.

A quarter of 15- to 49-year-old women take the contraceptive pill, which is slightly below the usage in Germany and Austria. The report, which has been issued in five-year intervals since it began in 1992, said there was a “notable” proportion of women who took the pill despite being at health risk because they smoke, are overweight or have high blood pressure.

Women tend to opt for sterilisation procedures more frequently after the age of 45.

People in Italian-speaking Switzerland are less likely to use contraception, the survey found. There, around 70% of sexually active 15- to 49-year-olds opt for contraception. 

Swiss citizens are also more likely to adopt contraception methods than foreign residents.

Overall, the report said health education messages were getting through to the population and were having a positive impact.