BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTRY'S RELATIONSHIP WITH SDG 8

With an SDG Index Score of 79.2, Switzerland ranks 26th globally in the implementation of the UN’s 2030 Agenda (Sachs et al., 2025, p. 12). Significant progress has been achieved in the area of SDG 8 since the adoption of the UN’s 2030 Agenda in 2015. Switzerland’s GDP per capita continued to increase between 2016 and 2024, incurring negative growth only in 2020 (Federal Statistical Office [FSO], n.d.a). The Swiss government strives to maintain the economic performance the country has demonstrated so far by promoting sustainable economic growth through continuous efforts to improve the financial sector’s sustainability and promote responsible corporate governance in the private sector (Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs [SFDFA], 2022, p. 31).

Nevertheless, significant challenges concerning the Swiss labour market still remain. Structural injustices such as inadequate compensation in the health and social work sectors and persistent discrimination against women and foreign nationals prevent Switzerland from fully aligning itself with the sustainable development path set by SDG 8 (Schmassmann & Schober, 2022, p. 25). Moreover, an increasingly short supply of affordable housing in urban regions puts a heavy strain on vulnerable and financially fragile groups, such as students and young professionals. These demographic groups struggle to find decent work opportunities compared to other age groups, with the unemployment rate among individuals aged 18 to 24 reaching a concerning 8.8% in 2025 (SFDFA, 2026, p. 27; FSO, n.d.b).

current challenges and recent developments

With a nominal GDP per capita of CHF 94,710 in 2024, Switzerland is among the richest economies in the world (FSO, n.d.c). However, GDP’s metrics reveal little about either the sustainability of an economy or the heterogeneity of its population in terms of economic well-being and working conditions. In spite of Switzerland’s outstanding economic performance at the aggregate level, persistent inequalities and discrimination in the Swiss labour market prevent specific groups from attaining decent work, while top CEOs in some sectors are disproportionately compensated (Schmassman & Schober, 2022, p. 25). As reported by the FSO (n.d.b), unemployment rates among younger age cohorts and foreign nationals continue to be systematically higher than those of older age groups and Swiss nationals respectively. Compounded by a persistently short supply of affordable housing, individuals from these groups face financial hardship without meaningful opportunities to easily access decent work and improved career prospects. These issues do not just hinder the achievement of SDG 8, but also represent major obstacles to the eradication of poverty (SDG 1) and the fight against systematic inequalities (SDG 5 and SDG 10) (SFDFA, 2026, pp. 26-27).

Furthermore, like other advanced economies, Switzerland’s highly globalised economy remains connected to global supply chains in which too many people still suffer under exploitative and unsafe working conditions and modern slavery (Schmassmann & Schober, 2022, p. 25). Although several projects are underway in international cooperation to support economic development in poorer countries, such as the Swiss Youth and Future prize ‘Together we’re better’ initiative or the Private Infrastructure Development Group, more effort is required to ensure decent work and sustainable economic development across the entire global value chain supplying the Swiss economy with the goods it consumes (Startupticker.ch, 2019; Swiss Federal Council, 2026).

list of references and useful links

Federal Statistical Office. (n.d.a). Gross Domestic Product. Swiss Federal Department of Home Affairs. Retrieved September 7, 2026, from https://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/en/home/statistics/national-economy/national-accounts/gross-domestic-product.html

Federal Statistical Office. (n.d.b). Unemployed based on ILO definition. Swiss Federal Department of Home Affairs. Retrieved September 7, 2026, from https://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/en/home/statistics/work-income/unemployment-underemployment/ilo-unemployed.html

Federal Statistical Office. (n.d.c). National economy: Overview of the different statistics related to the national economy and new developments in this area. Swiss Federal Department of Home Affairs. Retrieved September 7, 2026, from https://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/en/home/statistics/national-economy.html

Sachs, J. D., Lafortune, G., Fuller, G., & Iablonovski, G. (2025). Sustainable Development Report 2025: Financing Sustainable Development to 2030 and Mid-Century. Dublin University Press. https://doi.org/10.25546/111909

Schmassmann, E., & Schober, E. (2022). Business as usual at the expense of our planet? Half-time remarks on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in Switzerland. Swiss CSO Platform Agenda 2030. https://www.swissplatformagenda2030.ch/civil-society-report/

Startupticker.ch. (2019, July 3). Five Swiss projects recognized for promoting sustainable development. Retrieved September 7, 2026, from https://www.startupticker.ch/en/news/five-swiss-projects-recognized-for-promoting-sustainable-development

Swiss Federal Council. (2026, June 5). Federal government to step up support for sustainable infrastructure in developing countries [Press release]. https://www.admin.ch/en/newnsb/zY-b1vIZsHS_J4PtqA4DU

Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. (2022). Implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: Voluntary National Review of Switzerland 2022. United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. https://hlpf.un.org/sites/default/files/vnrs/2022/LB_2022_EN_090620_Link_final.pdf

Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. (2026). Implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: Voluntary National Review of Switzerland 2026. United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. https://hlpf.un.org/sites/default/files/vnrs/2026/VNR%202026%20Switzerland%20Report%20EN.pdf