France and Switzerland
France and Switzerland share a border with strong employment, scientific and cultural ties. Resident communities and research institutions are central to understanding the relationship.
Analysis reviewed: 2026-10-07 · Indicators updated: 2026-10-07Political cooperation and civil protection
Contacts among authorities encompass the economy, healthcare, defense and European affairs.
The border as a space for relations
Residents and cross-border workers connect both markets daily.
Documented dialogue and visits
The French state visit in November 2023 forms part of an agenda of regular contacts.
Bilateral indicators
Blank cells: data unavailable.
| Indicator | Value | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Goods trade | 47,200 M CHF | 2025 · FDFA |
| Goods: France to Switzerland | ||
| Goods: Switzerland to France | ||
| Services trade | ||
| Export share: France to Switzerland | ||
| Export share: Switzerland to France | ||
| Investment stock: France in Switzerland | 25,100 M CHF | 2024 · FDFA |
| Investment stock: Switzerland in France | 128,800 M EUR | 2024 · FDFA |
Definitions and sources
Trade adds both directions. Shares refer to the country’s total goods exports; investment is an accumulated stock, not an annual flow. Every figure retains the currency and period of its source. BEA positions are historical-cost estimates based on the immediate counterpart, not market values or investment by ultimate owner. ‘More than’ indicates a lower bound, not an exact amount. A recorded stock does not establish new activity or authorisation to operate under sanctions.
- Goods trade
- 2025 · Swiss FDFA · Total exchange according to Switzerland's FDFA; missing directions are not reconstructed or converted to USD.
- Investment stock: France in Switzerland
- 2024 · Swiss FDFA · French direct investment in Switzerland according to FDFA; accumulated position, not an annual flow.
- Investment stock: Switzerland in France
- 2024 · Swiss FDFA · Swiss direct investment in France according to FDFA; publication currency EUR, different from opposite-direction stock in CHF.
Country comparison
Period and source beside each figure · est. = estimate by the stated institution.
| Indicator | France | Switzerland |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal GDP | 3.37 trillion USD2025 · WB | 1.04 trillion USD2025 · WB |
| GDP per capita | 48,985.73 USD2025 · WB | 114,769.01 USD2025 · WB |
| GDP growth | 0.84 %2025 · WB | 1.3 %2025 · WB |
| Policy interest rate | 2.5 %2026-09-16 · BCE | |
| Inflation · annual average | 0.94 %Annual average · 2025 · WB | 0.15 %Annual average · 2025 · WB |
| Inflation · latest year-on-year figure | 3 %provisionalprovisionalYear-on-year · Sept. 2026 · Insee | |
| Unemployment | 7.54 %ILO est.2025 · WB | 4.87 %ILO est.2025 · WB |
| Budget balance (% of GDP) | -5.1 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | 0.5 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Gross public debt (% of GDP) | 116 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | 39.4 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Current account balance (% of GDP) | -0.27 %2025 · WB | 6.98 %2025 · WB |
| Population | 68,720,3372025 · WB | 9,092,436World Bank est.2025 · WB |
| Area | 606,410 km²2023 · BM / FAO | 41,291 km²2023 · WB |
| Military expenditure | ||
| Military expenditure (% of GDP) |
Definitions, dates and sources
Blank cells are not zero. Average annual inflation and the latest year-on-year figure appear in separate rows: they are not the same measure. Every annual indicator retains its reference year; when the years differ, the figures are identified as not directly comparable. When a figure is unavailable from the World Bank, an annual IMF estimate is used and identified as such. The latest year-on-year figure is the latest official release verified as of 7 October 2026. This includes advance releases marked as provisional. Mexico may have a fortnightly figure before the full month is published; it is not automatically compared with a monthly figure. The publication date is retained in each source’s details; it does not replace the observation period or the annual average. Policy rates carry their own dates and represent different instruments. Spain and France share the ECB rate. Balances are positive for surpluses and negative for deficits. The IMF may use fiscal years; unemployment retains each source’s definition (ILO estimates, IMF WEO or PCBS), as stated in the details. For Palestine, debt and the fiscal balance cover central government and retain the PCBS definition; they are not presented as consolidated general government. These are economic magnitudes, not measures of relationship quality.
Area retains each source’s territorial coverage; it does not determine sovereignty or effective control. Canada uses an archived national geographic reference. Military expenditure retains the 2024 SIPRI sample distributed by the World Bank: the amount and percentage of GDP use that same definition, which differs from NATO’s. It is not an approved budget or a 2026 figure. Information from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Military expenditure database · Terms of use0
Indicators reviewed: 2026-10-07. Each source retains its original access date; this review does not turn all the data into 2026 observations. Figures may be revised.
- Nominal GDP
- Current USDFrance: 2025 · World BankSwitzerland: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- GDP per capita
- Current USD per personFrance: 2025 · World BankSwitzerland: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- GDP growth
- Annual real change (%)France: 2025 · World BankSwitzerland: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Policy interest rate
- Central bank instrument (%)France: 2026-09-16 · ECB deposit facility; shared euro-area rate · European Central Bank
- Inflation · annual average
- Average annual change in headline CPI (%)France: 2025 · Annual average change in CPI (%) · World BankSwitzerland: 2025 · Annual average CPI change (%) · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Inflation · latest year-on-year figure
- Headline CPI relative to the same period of the previous year (%); monthly or fortnightly frequency statedFrance: 2026-09 · Change in headline CPI from the same month of the previous year (%) · Insee · Published: 2026-09-30 · provisional · Provisional · National headline CPI, year-on-year, not monthly inflation or an annual average. Provisional data or an official advance release; subject to revision.
- Unemployment
- % of the labour force; definition used by the stated institutionFrance: 2025 · World Bank · ILO est.Switzerland: 2025 · ILO modelled estimate; percentage of the labour force · World Bank · ILO est. · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Budget balance
- General government (% of GDP)France: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.Switzerland: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.
- Gross public debt
- General government (% of GDP)France: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.Switzerland: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.
- Current account balance
- % of GDPFrance: 2025 · World BankSwitzerland: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Population
- PeopleFrance: 2025 · World BankSwitzerland: 2025 · World Bank · WB est. · The World Bank indicates a population extrapolation; this is not a 2025 census count.
- Area
- Total area in km²; territorial coverage of the sourceFrance: 2023 · Total area, including inland waters; territorial coverage as defined by the source · World Bank · FAOSwitzerland: 2023 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Military expenditure
- Current USD per year; SIPRI series
- Military expenditure (% of GDP)
- Percentage of GDP; SIPRI definition, not NATO’s definition
Other data specific to this relationship
What they buy and sell
Documented selection, not an exhaustive list. Cells without a figure do not mean zero value; some products are identified without a verified amount.
France to Switzerland
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
Switzerland to France
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
Connections between people
Cross-border work, communities and research form everyday ties. Consular registrants have coverage different from all residents. [2]
Residents, study and travel
Blank cells: data unavailable. Each measure retains its definition and period.
| Indicator | Value | Period / source |
|---|---|---|
| Residents from France living in SwitzerlandFrench consular register; includes dual nationality | 172,580 | 2023 · Source |
| Residents from Switzerland living in FranceSwiss consular register in France | >215.000 | 2025 · FDFA |
| Study and training: France in Switzerland | ||
| Study and training: Switzerland in France | ||
| Academic stays: France in Switzerland | ||
| Academic stays: Switzerland in France | ||
| Travel: France to Switzerland | ||
| Travel: Switzerland to France |
What each figure measures
Residents are counted by nationality and the coverage of the stated register, not as people born in the other country or as new arrivals in one year. PERE includes dual nationals and people born outside Spain. Study with OPT and stays carrying academic credit are different measures. Travel may include several visits by the same person; FRONTUR arrivals require an overnight stay, whereas the Canadian survey includes day visits. These figures are neither added together nor automatically compared across directions.
- Residents from France living in Switzerland
- Record published with its original period. It is not extrapolated to 2026, nor is residence confused with ancestry or birthplace. Consular registration has its own coverage and is not equivalent to a complete census. 2023 · Source
- Residents from Switzerland living in France
- More than 215,000 Swiss nationals registered with representations in France. Consular register, not total census. 2025 · FDFA
Mobility data added or reviewed: 2026-10-07. Reference periods may be earlier.
Underlying ties
History, institutions and long-standing issues.
Political cooperation and civil protection
Contacts among authorities encompass the economy, healthcare, defense and European affairs. Hospital care in Switzerland for French patients during the pandemic documents a practical dimension of neighboring cooperation. [1]
The border as a space for relations
Residents and cross-border workers connect both markets daily. Residing in Switzerland and working there from France are different situations; they are not added as if representing the same population. [2]
Research and shared institutions
Both are CERN host states. Cooperation includes universities, laboratories and scientific agencies; cantons and other Swiss institutions play an important role in funding and educational responsibilities. [2]
The scale of both economies
Nominal GDP for France is 3,366.3 billion USD (2025), compared with 1,043.5 for Switzerland (2025). The reference populations are 68.72 and 9.09 million, respectively. In the same year, the economy of France was 3.23 times that of Switzerland in nominal GDP. The comparison provides context on market size, but does not, on its own, measure influence, well-being or diplomatic closeness. Estimates and their sources retain their labels in the tables. [4] [5] [6] [7]
Recent developments
Recent developments and latest available data · Reviewed: 2026-10-07
Documented dialogue and visits
The French state visit in November 2023 forms part of an agenda of regular contacts. Consular and academic figures retain their published year, without turning them into an updated count based on the article's review date. [1]
Direct investment position
France's direct investment position in Switzerland was CHF 25,100 million (2024). French direct investment in Switzerland according to FDFA; accumulated position, not an annual flow. [3]
Direct investment position
Switzerland's direct investment position in France was 128,800 million EUR (2024). Swiss direct investment in France according to FDFA; publication currency EUR, different from opposite-direction stock in CHF. [3]
Documented mobility and communities
Residents from France in Switzerland: 172,580 (2023). French consular register; includes dual nationality. Record published with its original period. It is not extrapolated to 2026, nor is residence confused with ancestry or birthplace. Consular registration has its own coverage and is not equivalent to a complete census. [2]
Residents from Switzerland in France: >215,000 (2025). Swiss consular register in France. More than 215,000 Swiss nationals registered with representations in France. Consular register, not total census. [3]
Milestones and consequences
Sources and data
Periods and scope of the figures
Institutional sources and periods accompany each figure. Annual trade, investment positions, residents and visits are distinct measures. Empty cells do not mean zero. Statements of intent are not presented as project implementation or treaties in force.
- Bilateral relations: FRA-CHE
France's Ministry of Foreign Affairs · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Bilateral relations: FRA-CHE
France's Ministry of Foreign Affairs · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Switzerland–France bilateral relations
Switzerland FDFA · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Official statistics
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-09-17
- NY.GDP.MKTP.CD; ISO and reference year; no military dataset expansion
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Official statistics
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-06
- SP.POP.TOTL; ISO and reference year; no military dataset expansion
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07