44.2 Overall Score

Switzerland

Data as of Aug 1
Next 》

36.3 Public Health
Directives
5.9 Financial
Response
88 Fact-Based
Communication

36.3 Public Health
Directives
5.9 Financial
Response
88 Fact-Based
Communication

Switzerland's reliance on facts and an open media drove its score up to the median, helping to counter weak financial support and limited restrictions on social interactions.

Pre-COVID Conditions

Despite high scores in almost every subcategory, Switzerland’s low number of hospital beds lowered its pre-pandemic conditions score.

Debt/GDP ratio 40.5%
GDP/capita $67,558
Gini coefficient (out of 100) 32.7
Infant mortality rate (out of 1,000 live births) 4
Healthcare access score (out of 100) 91.8
Hospital beds/1,000 People 33.6

Government Response

Select a data point for more information
(Data points represent policy level as of Aug 1.)

36.3

Public Health Directives

Switzerland’s public health policy is relatively weak, driven down primarily by weak stay-at-home orders and low levels of testing and emergency healthcare funds.

Stay at home order 1
Public gathering restrictions 2
School closings 0
Public event cancellations 2
Testing policy 0
Emergency healthcare investments/capita $306.19
Travel restrictions 2
Tests/1,000 people 0.6
Contact tracing 1

5.9

Financial Response

Switzerland’s financial response was very weak, the score dragged down by its very weak debt forebearance policy.

Financial stimulus as share of GDP 10.4%
Income support 2
Debt forebearance 0

Fact-Based Communication

Switzerland has largely not engaged in misinformation nor limited press freedom in response to COVID-19.

Reliance on science/fact based information 1
Press freedom 0

COVID-19 Status as of Aug 1

Switzerland’s strong pre-pandemic conditions likely helped keep its death rate fairly low, and its low positivity score means it is likely diagnosing a wide range of its populace, resulting in a relatively strong performance in this category.

Total deaths 1,703
Death rate per 100K 196.8
Total cases 35,070
Cases per 100K 4,052
Percent of positive tests 2.7

Daily cases Level 1 Lockdown

	Date	Status	New Cases/1M
1	Apr 27	Medical practices, dental practices, and hair salons reopen	21.79
2	May 11	Primary and secondary schools, shops and markets, travel agencies, museums, libraries, restaurants, bars, and pubs reopen; exams at educational institutions and some sporting events are allowed; border restrictions are loosened	6.60
3	May 28	Religious services are allowed	1.70
4	Jun 06	Events with up to 300 people are permitted	1.78
5	Jun 22	Events with up to 1,000 people are allowed	2.89

Differentiating Factors

Major healthcare investment produced surplus supplies: The Swiss federal government facilitated a centralized purchase of medical equipment and PPE that was then distributed to cantons on the basis of need, following concerns that the healthcare system could collapse. Having authorized the use of $2.66 billion, the country now finds itself with a surplus of ventilators and other equipment. Read More
Military assisting coronavirus response: Switzerland mobilized 8,000 military members to assist civil authorities and medical personnel with their coronavirus response, including enforcing a strict emergency lockdown. Read More
Very late mask mandate: Despite re-opening the economy in mid-May, including allowing indoor restaurant dining, Switzerland waited until July to make masks mandatory on public transport. This is a comparatively late decision compared to other countries opening their economies. Read More

Compared with EU Neighbors

36.6
Turkey 230,873
Cases 2,737
Per 1M 5,691
Deaths

Turkey has very weak policy, driven by little emergency spending, stimulus, or debt relief, and loosening restrictions. It also has limited press freedom and has conducted minimal testing.
71.9
Norway 9,208
Cases 1,699
Per 1M 255
Deaths

Norway scores just below the median, pulled down by its weak public health and financial response scores, despite a strong reliance on facts and a free press.
41.2
Russia 839,981
Cases 5,756
Per 1M 13,963
Deaths

Russia has a relatively weak score, with strong public health policy undone by weak financial support, limitations on press freedom, and spread of misinformation about the pandemic.

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Statistics and government response factors available on each country profile include:

Pre-COVID Conditions:

Debt to GDP ratio
Infant mortality rates
Hospital beds per 1,000 people
Gini coefficients measuring inequality
Health access and quality

COVID-19 Public Health Directives:

Stay-at home orders
School-closing policy
Public-gathering restrictions
Cancellation of public events
Testing policy and rates per 1,000 people
Emergency healthcare spending per capita
Travel restrictions
Contact tracing

COVID-19 Financial Response:

Stimulus package as a share of GDP
Income support
Debt-forbearance

Public Communications:

Instances of misinformation by leadership
Limitations on press freedom, censorship

Current/Historic In-Country COVID-19 Status:

Death rates per 1 million
Case rates per 1 million