On average, Swiss citizens are €2,914 (CHF3,315) richer each year thanks to access to the EU’s single market, according to the estimates of a German research group.
This content was published on
3 minutes
Keystone-SDA/ds&dos
Español
es
La población suiza se beneficia del mercado único europeo
Switzerland – which is not a member of the EU, but which is part of the single market – is the top beneficiary, the group says. Its citizens are over CHF3,000 better off each year due to the trade and competition advantages that the market access implies.
Switzerland is followed by Luxembourg (€2,834) and Ireland (€1,894), while Belgians, Austrians and Dutch are also big beneficiaries (see chart). The average per capita boost for EU members is €840; Germany benefits most in absolute terms (€86 billion).
Income gains are lower in less competitive and more peripheral nations such as Spain, Portugal, and Greece, the report found. It also estimates that incomes in non-member countries like Israel or the US actually drop due to the existence of the single market.
External Content
Prosperity and Brexit
The internal market is the “main driver of our prosperity”, said Aart de Geus, president of the Bertelsmann Foundation. “Not everyone benefits in the same way, but everyone wins.”
The authors found that those gaining most advantages were “relatively small, but strong exporting nations” who profit from the absence of tariffs and other obstacles to trade. Increased competition also has a positive effect on production, costs, and prices.
This said, the German foundation also found that the internal market still has potential for further prosperity gains. This is particularly the case for the trade in services, where “more common standards and EU-wide rules for competition” would provide a boost.
As for Brexit, the report reckons that a complete British withdrawal from the single market will hit all members negatively. The UK itself (especially southern regions) would be hardest hit, followed by Ireland. Swiss income gains as a result of single market membership would drop by around €200 per capita post-Brexit, the report estimates.
Switzerland and the EU
Relations between Switzerland and the EU are complicated and have sometimes been testy, despite the important economic and social interlinkages between the two.
Since the Alpine nation voted narrowly not to join the union in 1992, relations have been run according to a plethora of bilateral agreements regulating key areas like transport, free movement of people, and of course trade.
The current state of play centres on negotiations to agree a comprehensive framework accord to bring all these bilateral issues under a single heading; talks have been ongoing since 2014, with the EU exerting increasing pressure on Bern to finalise the deal this year.
As for Brexit and its disruptions, the Swiss government recently approved a temporary agreement with Britain on access to the Swiss labour market. This will only apply in case of a disorderly departure of Britain from the European Union.
Most Read Swiss Abroad
More
The surprising boom of Switzerland’s least-loved coin
Is reforming the Swiss pension system still possible, and if so, how?
Solutions still need to be found to meet the challenge of an ageing population and to improve the pensions of low-paid workers, the majority of whom are women.
Swiss to reduce administrative burden on farms from 2026
This content was published on
From 2026, the number of inspections of farms is to be reduced, without any loss of quality, said economics minister Guy Parmelin.
Swiss insurance boss proposes Singapore-style healthcare system
This content was published on
CEO of Swiss health insurer Sanitas has said that healthcare costs could be reduced if Switzerland were to follow the Singapore model.
Swiss minister talks crime and security in visit to the Netherlands
This content was published on
Swiss justice minister Beat Jans spent two days in the Netherlands discussing security, police cooperation and justice with international bodies.
Study finds more heavy metal detected in Swiss grassland
This content was published on
Copper and zinc can be expected to accumulate in the soil, particularly if farmyard manure is used for several years and is greater than the amount of nutrients absorbed by the grass. This was announced by the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) on Friday. The findings are based on the results of the seventh National Soil Monitoring of Switzerland (Nabo).
Lilo Baur wins Swiss Grand Prix for performing arts
This content was published on
The Swiss actress and theatre director Lilo Baur has received this year's Swiss Grand Prix for Performing Arts, also known as the Hans Reinhart Ring.
Court rules al-Qaeda supporter can stay in Switzerland
This content was published on
A Kurdish supporter of the Islamist terrorist network al-Qaeda can stay in Switzerland, the Federal Administrative Court has ruled. It has withdrawn the annulment of the man’s provisional admission.
This content was published on
The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland (OAG) has closed criminal proceedings relating to the Swiss owners affected by the Volkswagen “Dieselgate” emissions scandal.
This content was published on
The employment outlook in Switzerland will remain stable towards the end of 2024, according to the KOF Swiss Economic Institute at ETH Zurich.
Swiss woman accuses Donald Trump of sexual assault
This content was published on
A former Miss Switzerland candidate has accused Donald Trump of sexually assaulting her in New York in 1993. The US Republican candidate’s campaign team has denied the accusations.
Swiss research institutes receive EU funding boost
This content was published on
The European Research Council (ERC) has awarded 222 coveted grants to researchers including 18 at Swiss institutes under the Horizon 2020 programme.
Swiss foreign minister foresees tweaks to EU treaty, no overhaul
This content was published on
Ignazio Cassis has rejected calls for re-negotiations on an accord with the EU, but he sees room for manoevure in talks about bilateral ties.
This content was published on
Switzerland has been collaborating with NATO for more than 20 years but membership is out of the question for reasons of strict neutrality.
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.