Swiss Workers Experience Shorter Hours, But Not More Free Time

The latest information from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) reveals that workers in Switzerland are now spending less time on the job while maintaining or increasing their pay. However, this reduction in working hours has not translated into more free time, as noted by experts from the Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute (GDI).

Declining Working Hours, Growing Wealth in Switzerland

Recent FSO data indicates a significant decrease in the average working hours of people in Switzerland. Workers now spend an average of 1,500 hours a year on the job, equivalent to 32 hours per week with six weeks of paid leave and public holidays. In 1950, this average was 2,500 hours per year, signifying a 37 percent decrease in overall workloads over 73 years.

This shift has coincided with a general increase in household income. Data published on November 17 by the FSO reveals an 82 percent rise in the total income of Swiss households between 1995 and 2022, accounting for inflation. Consequently, families and individuals are now 27.2 percent richer on average compared to the mid-90s.

Work-Life Balance Challenges in Switzerland

Despite the decrease in working hours and the rise in income, a study from GDI highlights that 30 percent of the working-age population in Switzerland almost always feel stressed due to a perceived lack of free time. Additionally, nearly two-thirds of respondents reported an increase in work-related stress over the past five years.

The study explains that while paid working hours have decreased, the amount of “unpaid work” has increased significantly. Unpaid work includes chores, cleaning, cooking, and other non-relaxing tasks. Both men and women have experienced an increase in unpaid work, with the Swiss population collectively spending 9.8 billion hours on such tasks in 2020, surpassing the 7.6 billion hours spent on paid work in the same year.

GDI Experts Highlight Stress in Free Time

GDI study co-author Gianluca Scheidegger stated in an interview with 20 Minuten that free time has become more stressful in Switzerland. He pointed out that an increasing number of options for utilizing time, combined with the limited 24 hours in a day, contributes to the feeling of missing out if every minute is not used productively. Additionally, the growing influence of social media in people’s lives and the merging of work and leisure time contribute to the overall sense of stress in managing free time.