2014 Credit Suisse Worry Barometer (mit Inhalt) Dienstag, 02. Dezember 2014 - 12:37

Fifty-one percent of Swiss voters agree that unemployment is one of the five biggest problems in the country – it is the greatest source of anxiety in Switzerland, as has been the case every year since 2003 (compared to last year: +7 percentage points). One might ask if this is essentially an expression of national solidarity, because the voter's own job security plays only a secondary role. In other words, only 7 percent are worried about losing their job during the next year, and only 14 percent rate their job as somewhat or not at all secure. There is, in fact, a genuine basis for anxiety concerning unemployment.

The Actual Unemployment Rate Matters

The long-term comparison shows that there is a high correlation between the actual unemployment rate and the perception of unemployment as a concern. Despite a certain correction in last year's low figure, we are far from the record highs posted in 1993 (89 percent – unemployment 4.5 percent) or, more recently, in 2010 (76 percent – 3.9 percent), although the current unemployment rate is quite high at 3 percent.

Number of Immigrants Stirs up Fear

Immigration came in second again at 40 percent, gaining in significance most likely due to the federal popular initiative "against mass immigration" (+3 pp). Similar to the unemployment rate, the issue of immigration shows a correlation between the real situation and the perceived situation. The higher the number of foreigners living in Switzerland (currently at 23.8 percent, and even higher among 20-39 year-olds at 33.2 percent), the more respondents indicate that it is an issue that worries them.

Asylum-seekers

Asylum-seekers represent a special category of immigrants and were ranked fourth on the list of worries. It continues to be seen as a problematic issue by 26 percent of the population (-2 pp). Though this is a high number, it is in no way comparable to the record of 45 percent from 2004. Once again, this issue can be linked to a key indicator. It rises and falls in parallel to the actual number of asylum-seekers in Switzerland.

Insurance and Health Care Are Still Relevant

Ranked third on the list, Old Age and Survivors' Insurance is another perennial issue, with 37 percent concerned about retirement provisions. Many of those surveyed presumably worry about whether their pensions are secure. In the German-speaking region of Switzerland, the issue of retirement provisions ranked somewhat higher than in the French-speaking region, and it is clearly more of an issue for respondents aged 70 and older (55 percent) than among those under 30 (33 percent).

Health care came fifth on the list, with only 23 percent of the population naming it an issue (+2 pp). This issue hit a record high of 64 percent in 2001 when the situation looked much different. In the meantime, the successful battle against rising health insurance premiums was able to ease people's anxiety. It will be interesting to see how this ranking changes next year when premiums are set to rise again.

Personal and Social Security Are Less of a Concern

Next on the list after Swiss-EU relations (20 percent) came six additional mid-range issues that about one-sixth of the population (17 and 16 percent, respectively) perceive as problems. Besides drug and alcohol addiction and the Euro exchange rate, the joint issues of personal and social security have continued to drop in significance. In contrast, environmental protection and energy have gained in relevance since 2009, though this year both issues saw a slight dip.

French-speaking vs. German-speaking

When comparing the language groups, relatively clear differences can be seen among four issues. In the French-speaking region, unemployment and foreigners are perceived as much bigger issues than in German-speaking Switzerland, where the issues of energy and retirement provisions are more prevalent. The gender-based differences for most issues are minor, although women appear to worry far more about retirement and health care. When viewed based on the different communities – where those surveyed live – rural communities worry more about unemployment, asylum-seekers and the euro crisis than towns and big cities.

Few Group-Specific Differences

All in all, the group-specific differences are only seldom greater than the statistical margin of error. We can therefore conclude that in Switzerland there is a fairly uniform perception of problems – and it is usually linked to the actual situation, as shown. This finding represents a good basis for political discussions.