No. 154, September

In this paper we show that the development of wealth as a percentage of income in Switzerland has followed a J-shaped pattern over the last 120 years: a very stable trend in the 20th century followed by a sharp increase since 2010.

Gainful and inactive work is still unequally distributed between the sexes. One reason is that few men work part-time. This is partly due to the fact that men looking for part-time jobs are discriminated against by recruiters.

In the fight against the pandemic, countries are relying on non-pharmaceutical containment measures. In Switzerland, these have led to a decline in new infections. In addition, the population is helping by making voluntary adjustments to their behaviour.

The impact of uncertainty on the economy was most recently illustrated in the context of the pandemic. But the uncertainty was also a decisive factor in previous crises. A new KOF study examines the impact of uncertainty on economic development.

Swiss companies’ business remained fairly stable in August. July’s sharp rise in the KOF Business Situation Indicator was almost, but not quite, maintained. The business situation therefore remains favourable.