Switzerland's Economy Grows 1.5% in Q2, Fastest Since 2021 as Exports Rebound
Updated
Updated · Financial Times · Aug 14
Switzerland's Economy Grows 1.5% in Q2, Fastest Since 2021 as Exports Rebound
3 articles · Updated · Financial Times · Aug 14
Summary
A 1.5% quarterly GDP gain in the second quarter marked Switzerland’s fastest expansion since 2021, sharply accelerating from 0.4% in Q1 in Seco’s flash estimate.
Industry drove the surge, led by chemicals and pharmaceuticals, while services also grew; Swiss goods exports rose 8.8% in nominal terms and 0.6% in real terms, ending four straight quarterly declines.
The strong reading came before Washington’s late-July tariff shift, which imposed additional duties of up to 12.5% on Swiss goods, with pharmaceuticals facing separate US sectoral tariffs.
Economists warned the jump may overstate the broader economy because chemicals and pharmaceuticals dominate Swiss exports, and Seco still expects below-average 2026 growth of 0.9% amid weak domestic demand and a softer global backdrop.