While the popularity of many expat destinations tends to wax and wane over time, you can always rely on Switzerland to feature highly as a preferred destination. Switzerland consistently ranks at the top for many key metrics of national performance, so it’s no wonder that moving here will (probably) make you happier.
Yes, according to Expat Focus, moving to Switzerland is likely to make you happier – for several key reasons.
Quality of life
With clean air, clean streets and fantastic natural beauty on offer, the Swiss living environment naturally lends itself to a generally healthy lifestyle. Walking, cycling and, of course, ski-ing are hugely popular in Switzerland and this perhaps goes some way toward explaining the above-average life expectancy.
What’s more, Switzerland is renowned for having one of the lowest crime rates in the world, making it a particularly safe international destination for expats moving abroad with a family. There, it’s not uncommon to see young children walking, riding bicycles, or taking the bus unescorted, as parents enjoy the peace of mind the Swiss environment grants them.
Economy
As well as offering safety and healthy living, Switzerland’s largely independent economy offers stability in the face of uncertainty.
Though Switzerland maintains close ties with the rest of Europe, the value of the Swiss Franc has remained stable and inflation has remained low, despite the economic turmoil neighbouring European countries have faced in recent years.
Wages in Switzerland are among some of the highest in the world but the general attitude toward work there is relatively relaxed. Five weeks’ holiday per year, which employees are encouraged to take, is standard in Switzerland and working excessive overtime is generally discouraged. The prevailing attitude is that happier employees are more productive and loyal, and this belief seems to be supported by figures for employee acquisition and retention in Switzerland.
All things considered – wages, job security, taxation, entrepreneurship opportunities – the economic environment of Switzerland is considered to be the very best in the world.
Healthcare and education
Swiss citizens also enjoy universal health coverage. Despite the Swiss government investing just 2.7% of GDP into its healthcare system, the Swiss health service is rated as one of the finest in the world. Placing a strong emphasis on mental health, depression rates in Switzerland are among some of the lowest globally.
As in healthcare, the Swiss also excel in education, with test scores for literacy, mathematics and science consistently ranking well ahead of global averages. Also, with 105 international schools to choose from, expats needn’t worry about their children falling behind in education as a consequence of having to learn a new language.
Will it make you happier?
Measuring the overall happiness level of a country is a notoriously difficult challenge, as it’s not something that can be quantified easily.
While there’s no guarantee that moving to Switzerland will make you happier, these reasons seem to lay firm foundations to suspect it might. However, if you’re still in doubt as to whether living in Switzerland will make you happier, spending some time with the happy and courteous Swiss people may well be what convinces you.
If you are considering moving to Switzerland from London, Cadogan Tate will assist you every step of the way – from your first enquiry to unpacking at your new home, we are here to help and advise you. For more details about Cadogan Tate’s specialist international removals services from London, click here.
Information correct at time of publication.