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It is said everywhere that Switzerland is so rich. But what does it actually look like in detail - and is it still true?
In this paper, we want to look at how high, for example. Average savings throughout Switzerland are. When looking at the average assets in Switzerland, you should distinguish between the Median assets and the Average assets. Since your school days may have been a while ago, you'll know the difference and be able to shine in the next discussion.
Read on to find out if you're already part of the wealthy 50 percent and how you can build your (median) wealth quickly and efficiently with a few simple tips.
Looking at average wealth across Switzerland makes only limited sense. The Median assets Switzerland-wide is much more meaningful, as you will learn below.
Here are the median assets in Switzerland by age (excluding 2nd pillar and pension fund assets). Further below there are still figures including pension fund assets).
Median wealth in Switzerland by age (most recent data: FSO 2023)
How much money should you have saved by 30?
If you want to know how much you should have saved by your age, you can check with your Age group compare. However, bear in mind that everyone has different circumstances and that wealth accumulation goals are always individual. So don't let the overview (average wealth in Switzerland by age) worry you.
According to the latest FSO data (2023), the median wealth at the age of 30 is around CHF 32,000. This means that half of 30-year-olds have more wealth, while the other half have less.
Keep in mind, however, that the "Average wealth of Swiss 30 year olds" can also look drastically different in some cases. Average assets to compare across Switzerland or Average savings throughout Switzerland makes only limited sense for the following reasons.
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Average wealth is calculated from two sets of data: Total wealth and population. To determine the average wealth, we put both figures in relation to each other.
With median wealth, also called mean wealth, we include the distribution of wealth in a country, society or group.
In short, the median wealth represents the middle of the wealth distribution. Either you belong to the 50 percent who are above the median wealth or to the other 50 percent.
First of all, we can pat ourselves on the back. According to data from the UBS Global Wealth Report 2025, we Swiss continue to lead the way when it comes to average per capita wealth. In terms of average wealth, we are in top place - it seems we are doing a lot of things right.
It is interesting to see the clear difference between the average and median wealth in Switzerland. Did you know that the average wealth is a proud CHF 561,000 while the median asset CHF 150,000 is?
This means that the average wealth is strongly influenced by some extremely high assets. In contrast, the median, where one half of the population owns more and the other half less, gives a more realistic picture of wealth distribution in Switzerland. The difference is over 274% - a clear sign of wealth inequality.
Surprising: In terms of median wealth, Switzerland is only in 7th place worldwide. Countries such as Belgium, Australia and New Zealand have a higher median wealth per capita.
Germany is an absolute counterexample. Unlike the average wealth in Switzerland, the average wealth in Germany is around CHF 265,000. The median per capita wealth, on the other hand, is just CHF 32’000. If we compare the two figures, the difference in assets is approx. 728 %! Germany has even fallen out of the world's top 25 in terms of median wealth - an alarming sign of the inequality of wealth there.
A similar picture emerges for Austria: Austria is also no longer in the top 25 in terms of median assets, although average assets are over CHF 240,000. In the USA the average assets are around CHF 565,000, while the median assets are only CHF 97,000 a difference of over 414%.
| 🌎 Country | 💰 Assets Average value [CHF] | Median assets [CHF] | ⚖️ Gini coefficient |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇨🇭 Switzerland | 561'000 | 150'000 | 77.8 |
| 🇱🇺 Luxembourg | 607'500 | 325'000 | 65.1 |
| 🇺🇸 USA | 565'000 | 97'000 | 85.0 |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | 546'000 | 268'000 | 66.5 |
| 🇮🇸 Island | 412'000 | 338'000 | 64.5 |
| 🇩🇰 Denmark | 449'000 | 216'000 | 73.6 |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | 368'000 | 136'000 | 72.4 |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 362'000 | 129'000 | 74.8 |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | 265'000 | 32'000 | 77.2 |
| 🇦🇹 Austria | 245'000 | 50'000 | 73.5 |
The Gini coefficient shows how evenly or unevenly wealth is distributed in a country. The higher it is, the more unevenly wealth is distributed in a country. Switzerland does not fare particularly well here. For comparison: Afghanistan's Gini coefficient (68.9) is lower than that of Switzerland.
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Enough of statistics and we certainly shouldn't rest on our laurels. Because 50% of the Swiss - i.e. every second person - has less than the median wealth. If you are one of them, you can use the following tips to build your wealth quickly.
A golden rule for good investors is not to match expenses to income and always live in the same ratio. The goal should be to minimize your expenses. Because the calculation is very simple: If more money stays in the pot, you can build up a fortune faster.
Here we show you how to optimize your cell phone, Netflix and subscription costs.
An absolute no-brainer is the 3 account model. The special thing about it is that you only have to take care of it once and set everything up. Afterwards, everything happens completely automatically and you will have saved a lot of money after a short time.
The implementation is simple and you need three bank accounts - three sub-accounts at your house bank will do. You set up a salary, fun and investment account and optimize your cash flow. No additional income is necessary! Here we have summarized the whole process in 5 stepst and taken up visually.
Taxes represent a large item in your expenditure balance sheet. By making targeted optimisations and small adjustments, you can minimise these expenses and thus save on taxes. At the same time, you will have more money left over to build up your assets even faster and avoid debt. We have summarised the most important tips for saving taxes below.
Investing in your own skills is the best investment you can ever make. As you continually expand and internalize your knowledge, your financial IQ increases while lowering your investment risk. We have a collection for you of the best books on the subject of financial educationt. Take a look!
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We Swiss are the world leaders in average per capita wealth. Nevertheless, the statistics clearly show that only very few people have a Average assets of CHF 561,000 reach. This fact has once again made it clear to us at Schwiizerfranke.com that the topic of financial education plays an important role.
How did you like our article on average wealth in Switzerland? Do you have a topic you'd like us to address in the future? Feel free to leave us a comment
Data sources (as at: November 2025):
The median wealth in Switzerland at the age of 25 is around CHF 15,000, rising to CHF 18,000 at the age of 26 according to the latest FSO data (2023).
The median wealth in Switzerland at the age of 30 is CHF 32,000 (update 2025: increased from CHF 27,000). This means that half of 30-year-olds have more assets, while the other half have less.
At the age of 40, the median wealth is around CHF 78,000, while the average wealth of Swiss 40-year-olds is significantly higher at around CHF 180,000 - a sign of the great wealth inequality.
The median wealth at the age of 50 is CHF 124,000, which includes all assets (bank accounts, securities, real estate, pillar 3a) less debts, but excludes pension fund assets.
At the age of 65, the median assets are around CHF 171,000 (excluding pension fund assets). Including the pension fund, this should be at least CHF 500,000-700,000 for a comfortable pension
In Switzerland, average wealth varies greatly depending on age group, income and personal circumstances. The median wealth per adult is around CHF 100,000 to CHF 150,000, while the average is higher, as very wealthy people raise the value.
A "normal" person often has a few thousand to a few tens of thousands of francs as liquid assets in their bank accounts, depending on their financial situation and savings habits. The breakdown between savings accounts, investments and pension fund assets is also relevant.
Average wealth in Switzerland varies enormously depending on age, income and life situation. A detailed overview shows that the Average assets by age The development of wealth varies - younger adults own less on average, while older people have tended to accumulate more wealth.
At the top of the article you will find a chart that illustrates this distribution. The median wealth per adult is around CHF 100,000 to CHF 150,000, whereby the average value is significantly increased by some very wealthy people.
According to current data (as at November 2025), the Median assets Switzerland at CHF 168,084 per person. This means that half of the Swiss have more assets, while the other half have less. Important: This includes not only bank accounts, but also securities, real estate and pillar 3a. Pure bank deposits usually only account for 20-30% of total assets.
Eric is the founder of Schwiizerfranke.com and certified IAF wealth advisor. Since 2019, he has been helping Swiss citizens to organise their finances comprehensibly, independently and efficiently.
📌 Note: This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute personalised investment advice.
«Because there are still enough Swiss people who belong to the bottom 50 per cent of the median wealth. »
Yes, and strangely enough, it is always exactly 50% that belong to the lower 50%, no matter how high the assets are.....
Touché! Someone was paying attention in maths class 😄 You're right, of course - the median is always exactly 50% by definition. Thanks for pointing that out!
In principle, I always find such articles quite interesting, but when it says «We are in first place for both median and average wealth», but then in the corresponding table 6 out of 10 countries are ahead of Switzerland for the median, the question inevitably arises as to whether all the other information is also just total rubbish.
The table was (as declared) from 2021 and accordingly the 1st place was still correct here. The source (Wikipedia) is still set to 2021 for the Gini... But because this is confusing, we have now switched to other data. So your feedback has helped 🙂
How up-to-date is the data? I haven't found that anywhere. If Credit Suisse figures are quoted, it must be some time ago. it's the end of October 2025.
The figures are as up-to-date as the FSO publishes them 🙂 (usually 1 year in arrears)
Thank you for the article.
Is the data above from the Federal Office on assets at household level or individual level?
Greetings
They are individual 🙂
Hello, I have just discovered this compilation. Good overview. I will recommend this page to my children (aged around 30). What I'm missing from the list of assets is property ownership. The assets are zero if the mortgages are high enough. In my experience, home ownership, including property for rent, is still a very good investment.
And what I'm still missing: the income and asset situation of pensioners is not included. I wish that these figures would also appear here.
And the financial tips for this age group would also be important. Many people over the age of 65 continue to work and try various ways to improve their financial situation.
I would be delighted if these aspects were included here in the coming weeks and months.
Merci already now 🙂
Thank you for your feedback, Lilo! 🙂
These are very good suggestions, which I am happy to take on board. Reliable data is always important - if I find something suitable, I'll be happy to include it in the article!
Hello Eric
How did the statistics come up with a difference of 50%: "According to the statistics, our average (USD 696,604) and median wealth (CHF 168,084) are only around 50 per cent apart."? ?
Hello Herrmann
🙂 I wrote the sentence a little better.
Hello Eric. Please note that your calculator says "Assets according to tax return". However, 3a funds are not declared as assets in the tax return. In the chart above regarding median salary, however, you write that 3a funds are included. What is correct?
Is corrected, thank you 🙂
Great overview and work, Eric. Many thanks for that.
In my personal assets, I always include the PF assets according to the latest statement of the pension fund, AFTER taxes. I also consider the assets in the pension fund to be "safe" because many regulations apply that force the pension funds to invest conservatively. Large fluctuations should not happen. Instead, I can invest the money that remains after I have put aside the nest egg in a somewhat riskier way.
Hello Martin,
that's a good approach, thanks for sharing!
Personally, I also track this for myself in Portfolio Performance and have created a category there "tied pension provision" -> so I always know which part of my assets I can access and which I can't or only to a limited extent.
Best regards 🙂
Which assets are included in assets (in Switzerland)? Specifically: Incl. or excl. pension fund assets (2nd pillar)?
Hello, Hugo,
A good question! The Federal Statistical Office includes pension funds in household assets - and also shows directly that these represent a significant component of assets.
Here is the link: https://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/de/home/statistiken/querschnittsthemen/wohlfahrtsmessung/indikatoren/vermoegen-haushalte.html
Kind regards
Eric
Hmm... that of course "distorts" the matter of assets relatively strongly, at least in comparison to countries where old-age provision is largely in the "1st pillar" (state pension provision according to the pay-as-you-go system)... I assume that's why (not only) things look quite different in Germany.
Correct, in other countries the pension systems are generally structured differently - but they are probably considered equally in such analyses. Do you think that pension fund assets (or their equivalent abroad) should not be taken into account here?
My assumption/opinion: The credit balance of the 2nd pillar in Switzerland corresponds to the cash value of the expected pension (funded method). For a state pension, this amount is not visible or is not saved anywhere (pay-as-you-go method).
The PF assets are somehow an in-between between free assets and potential pension in the future, since there are (currently) possibilities to transfer these funds early into the free assets (home ownership promotion, self-employment, leaving Switzerland). However, such a capital withdrawal lowers the future pension, so compared to other countries it would be something like a loan that you then pay off during retirement with lower pensions. Overall, the comparison across different systems is certainly very difficult. Therefore, it would be interesting from my point of view to see how the situation is with and without pension funds, so everyone could make a picture and judge.
In addition, I find it problematic that the PF assets are still pre-tax, so to speak, and would only be taxed when transferred to free assets. At least this circumstance should be taken into account when comparing these assets with assets of people from other countries/systems. Whether the FSO takes this into account or not, I cannot judge. However, I tend to think not.
am here absolutely with you Hugo! If you find reliable data where this is taken into account accordingly, feel free to forward it to me. I also keep my eyes open 🙂
As a German who has lived in Switzerland for almost 11 years, perhaps I can help out. Yes, the German pension system is mainly based on a pay-as-you-go system like our AHV here. However, in Germany we also know the company pension plan (often in the form of a so-called Rürup pension), which is capital-based like our BVG (and so far at least does not suffer from hidden contributions as here), and with the Riester pension there is also a vehicle that is roughly comparable to the pillar 3a. However, I can't explain to you where the preference comes from to name screwed-up politically motivated pension innovations after people of dubious repute.
The occupational pension scheme is usually available to higher earners, while anyone can take out a pension. However, within just a few years of their introduction, both systems have become worse and worse.
My impression, which is also repeatedly supported by analyses and studies on the GINI coefficient, is that although we have a large spread in incomes in Switzerland, wealth is not quite as unequally distributed as, for example, in DE, AT or the USA.