Our History

On May 16, 1938, the Economic Research Society (Gesellschaft für Wirtschaftsforschung) and the associated Economic Research Institute (Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung) were established. The Economic Research Institute later changed its name to KOF Swiss Economic Institute (Konjunkturforschungsstelle). The Institute carried out its first surveys among companies in 1955. Regular economic surveys still form the cornerstone of its research activities.

Directors of KOF Institute since 1938

Hans Gersbach has been a member of the KOF Directorate as Director of Research since 2023. He supports the KOF in its further methodological development. (ETH Zürich / Giulia Marthaler)
Jan-Egbert Sturm has headed the KOF since 2006. Under his leadership, the KOF has also become known abroad and has significantly increased its scientific presence. Since he took over, there have also been associated chairs at KOF that support the institute in its research activities. (ETH Zürich / Giulia Marthaler)
Bernd Schips' time as head of the Institute from 1993 to 2005 was marked by increasing "competition" in economic analysis and forecasting. Schips created a new orientation for KOF that guaranteed its independence. Under Schips, work with statistical methods and models became increasingly important.
Hans Würgler headed the Institute from 1963 to 1993. He networked KOF internationally and introduced the first model for forecasting the Swiss economy. Würgler was commissioned by the federal government to develop the foundations of a federal economic and growth policy and formulated a corresponding draft law. This was approved by the people in 1978.
Eugen Böhler was the first head of the KOF, he led its fortunes from 1938 to 1964. Böhler wrote economic reports on countries and markets. He organised monthly meetings with around 30 entrepreneurs to exchange views on the current economic situation. This led to the first written surveys of companies from 1955 onwards.