Households in Switzerland have increased their wealth in 2024; MPs are seeking to introduce the right for soldiers to keep ammunitions for their weapons at home; and other news in our Tuesday roundup.
Swiss households became wealthier in 2024
Private household assets in Switzerland continued to rise in 2024, as reported by the Swiss National Bank (SNB) on Monday.
In all, by the end of 2024, net assets of households rose by 180 billion francs — or by 3.8 percent — to a total of 4,480 billion.
Out of this total, financial assets went up by 119 billion francs to 146 billion, with households investing and benefiting from rising stock prices.
Real estate wealth grew to 2,770 billion francs, but the increase of 3.1 percent was weaker in 2024 than in previous years.
The market value of real estate accounted for almost half of total household assets. At the same time, the liabilities – primarily mortgage debt – grew by 22 billion francs to 1,037 billion.
READ ALSO: Where in Switzerland will your money go the furthest?
Right-wingers want Swiss soldiers to keep ammunition at home again
Since 2007, Swiss soldiers are no longer allowed to keep bullets for their service weapons at home.
However MPs from the Swiss People’s Party (SVP), Walter Gartmann and Werner Salzmann, filed two motions in the parliament seeking the return of this practice, even though such an attempt already failed in 2022.
For Salzmann, this measure would allow troops to be mobilised quickly, especially in the event of an attack.
The move has the backing of the Association of Swiss Military Societies and the Swiss Shooting Federation, but criminologists argue that if this measure is implemented, the incidence of homicides and suicides would increase.
The motions will be debated at a future parliamentary session.
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UN employees in Geneva plan a massive demonstration on May 1st
In view of the US budget cuts, which have already led to job losses — with more expected in the future — “an unprecedented mobilisation” of UN workers is currently under way in Geneva, according to Ian Richards, president of the employees’ union.
On May 1st, United Nations staff will gather at 12:30 pm on the Place des Nations, in front of the UN administrative headquarters, “to denounce the historic waves of budget and job cuts that directly threaten the essential missions of the UN system,” Richards said.
READ ALSO: How many jobs in Geneva could be lost over US aid cuts?
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Who knew? Swiss passport is the ‘most beautiful identity document in the world’
At least, that’s the assessment of the passport’s design on social media, where “millions of internet users are raving” about the passport’s intricate design.
“Photos of the passport regularly appear on design blogs and news sites. Instagram posts are liked hundreds of thousands of times and receive numerous complimentary comments,” according to Swiss media.
“The passport design, inspired by Swiss landscapes, is considered the ‘most beautiful identity document in the world,’ so much so that it has been compared to a work of art. It’s above all the way its appearance changes under UV light that is generating enthusiasm.”
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