Is Switzerland Losing Its Place In The World?

(MENAFN- Swissinfo) It was a remarkably blunt public warning from the top of Switzerland's biggest bank. UBS chair Colm Kelleher declared last month that Switzerland was“losing its lustre” and had reached a“crossroads with major challenges”. This content was published on December 22, 2025 - 09:19 16 minutes Mercedes Ruehl, Financial Times

As evidence, he cited fierce competition in wealth management, US tariffs that have hit pharmaceuticals and other export sectors, and a regulatory environment that he regards as increasingly out of sync with more liberal regimes.

External Content

He is not alone. Severin Schwan, the chair of Basel-based pharma giant Roche, warned at a panel discussion this month that Switzerland faces a“critical” moment and should be“very worried - even paranoid” that global investment pressures and slow political decision-making threaten its competitiveness.

In a country that prefers to avoid global headlines, such rebukes from pillars of its corporate establishment are a sign of how uncomfortable this year has been.

For much of the postwar period, Switzerland appeared insulated from many of the pressures affecting its European neighbours. Its decentralised direct democracy produced consensus; the franc was one of the world's best safe-haven currencies; its industrial and diplomatic foundations were solid and predictable.

More More Swiss Politics Switzerland ranked world's 'most competitive' nation

This content was published on Oct 27, 2025 A study has ranked Switzerland as the most competitive country in the world thanks to its economy and education system.

Read more: Switzerland ranked world's 'most competitive' n

MENAFN22122025000210011054ID1110510694