BFS · HABE · SILC
Swiss income groups and the poverty line
Official Swiss income groups, household thresholds and the poverty line. Figures come from distinct Federal Statistical Office surveys.
Official BFS data. Different survey years are shown separately.
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Middle-income range for this householdCHF 4 228 – 9 061Gross household income per month · 2023
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How the household calculation works
BFS weighting: 1.0 for the oldest person, 0.5 for every further person aged 14 or over, 0.3 for every child under 14. The published limits for a single person (1.0) and a couple with two children under 14 (2.1) follow this rule exactly. BFS definition of the equivalence scale
This is an indicative comparison with the published limits, not an official classification. The BFS assigns people from survey data, and household incomes change during the year.
How income groups have changed
Share of people in each income group, by year
55.2%Middle income · 2023
−3.8percentage points · 2015–2023
Shares, 95% confidence intervals and every year
| Year | Lower income (below 70% of the median) | Lower middle (70% to 100%) | Upper middle (100% to 150%) | Higher income (above 150%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 24.4 ± 1.8 | 25.6 ± 1.7 | 29.5 ± 1.8 | 20.4 ± 1.5 |
| 2022 | 23.3 ± 1.7 | 26.7 ± 1.8 | 30.9 ± 1.7 | 19.1 ± 1.3 |
| 2021 | 21.7 ± 1.6 | 28.3 ± 1.7 | 29.3 ± 1.7 | 20.7 ± 1.4 |
| 2020 | 23.3 ± 1.7 | 26.7 ± 1.7 | 28.9 ± 1.6 | 21.1 ± 1.4 |
| 2019 | 23.6 ± 1.7 | 26.4 ± 1.7 | 31.2 ± 1.7 | 18.8 ± 1.3 |
| 2018 | 24.8 ± 1.8 | 25.2 ± 1.6 | 29.2 ± 1.7 | 20.8 ± 1.5 |
| 2017 | 24.1 ± 1.8 | 25.9 ± 1.7 | 29.9 ± 1.6 | 20.1 ± 1.4 |
| 2016 | 22.8 ± 1.7 | 27.2 ± 1.7 | 29.2 ± 1.6 | 20.8 ± 1.4 |
| 2015 | 21.7 ± 1.6 | 28.3 ± 1.7 | 30.6 ± 1.6 | 19.3 ± 1.3 |
| 2014 | 22.9 ± 1.5 | 27.1 ± 1.6 | 30.1 ± 1.6 | 19.9 ± 1.3 |
| 2013 | 22.9 ± 1.8 | 27.2 ± 1.7 | 29.5 ± 1.7 | 20.4 ± 1.5 |
| 2012 | 22.7 ± 1.8 | 27.2 ± 1.9 | 29.9 ± 1.9 | 20.1 ± 1.6 |
| 2011 | 22.1 ± 1.7 | 27.8 ± 1.7 | 29.4 ± 1.7 | 20.6 ± 1.4 |
| 2010 | 23.0 ± 1.5 | 26.9 ± 1.6 | 30.9 ± 1.7 | 19.2 ± 1.4 |
| 2009 | 20.0 ± 1.4 | 30.0 ± 1.7 | 31.3 ± 1.6 | 18.7 ± 1.3 |
| 2008 | 22.2 ± 1.5 | 27.8 ± 1.6 | 30.0 ± 1.5 | 19.9 ± 1.3 |
| 2007 | 22.2 ± 1.6 | 27.8 ± 1.6 | 29.8 ± 1.6 | 20.2 ± 1.3 |
| 2006 | 22.6 ± 1.6 | 27.4 ± 1.6 | 30.4 ± 1.7 | 19.5 ± 1.3 |
| 2005 | 22.1 ± 1.6 | 27.9 ± 1.6 | 31.7 ± 1.7 | 18.4 ± 1.3 |
| 2004 | 20.8 ± 1.5 | 29.2 ± 1.7 | 30.2 ± 1.6 | 19.8 ± 1.3 |
| 2003 | 20.5 ± 1.4 | 29.5 ± 1.6 | 31.6 ± 1.6 | 18.4 ± 1.3 |
| 2002 | 22.4 ± 1.4 | 27.6 ± 1.5 | 30.3 ± 1.5 | 19.7 ± 1.2 |
| 2001 | 21.1 ± 1.5 | 28.9 ± 1.5 | 31.3 ± 1.5 | 18.7 ± 1.1 |
| 2000 | 21.3 ± 1.4 | 28.7 ± 1.5 | 29.4 ± 1.5 | 20.6 ± 1.2 |
| 1999 | — | — | — | — |
| 1998 | 23.5 ± 0.9 | 26.5 ± 0.9 | 30.5 ± 0.9 | 19.5 ± 0.7 |
Limits for every year
| Year | Median gross equivalised income | Single person | Couple, 2 children under 14 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| from | to | from | to | ||
| 2023 | 6 041 | 4 228 | 9 061 | 8 880 | 19 028 |
| 2022 | 6 019 | 4 213 | 9 028 | 8 848 | 18 959 |
| 2021 | 5 952 | 4 166 | 8 927 | 8 749 | 18 748 |
| 2020 | 5 984 | 4 189 | 8 976 | 8 796 | 18 849 |
| 2019 | 5 897 | 4 128 | 8 845 | 8 669 | 18 575 |
| 2018 | 5 916 | 4 141 | 8 874 | 8 697 | 18 636 |
| 2017 | 5 733 | 4 013 | 8 600 | 8 428 | 18 060 |
| 2016 | 5 750 | 4 025 | 8 625 | 8 453 | 18 113 |
| 2015 | 5 591 | 3 914 | 8 387 | 8 219 | 17 612 |
| 2014 | 5 874 | 4 112 | 8 811 | 8 635 | 18 503 |
| 2013 | 5 950 | 4 165 | 8 926 | 8 747 | 18 744 |
| 2012 | 5 799 | 4 059 | 8 698 | 8 524 | 18 266 |
| 2011 | 5 536 | 3 875 | 8 304 | 8 138 | 17 438 |
| 2010 | 5 674 | 3 972 | 8 511 | 8 341 | 17 874 |
| 2009 | 5 547 | 3 883 | 8 320 | 8 154 | 17 473 |
| 2008 | 5 316 | 3 721 | 7 973 | 7 814 | 16 744 |
| 2007 | 5 387 | 3 771 | 8 081 | 7 920 | 16 971 |
| 2006 | 5 222 | 3 655 | 7 833 | 7 676 | 16 449 |
| 2005 | 5 373 | 3 761 | 8 059 | 7 898 | 16 925 |
| 2004 | 5 105 | 3 573 | 7 657 | 7 504 | 16 080 |
| 2003 | 5 246 | 3 672 | 7 868 | 7 711 | 16 523 |
| 2002 | 5 289 | 3 702 | 7 933 | 7 774 | 16 659 |
| 2001 | 5 147 | 3 603 | 7 720 | 7 566 | 16 212 |
| 2000 | 4 958 | 3 471 | 7 437 | 7 288 | 15 617 |
| 1999 | not surveyed | ||||
| 1998 | 5 058 | 3 541 | 7 587 | 7 436 | 15 933 |
Poverty line by household type
This uses disposable income after mandatory deductions. Middle-income limits use gross income and a different survey.
Poverty rates, historical tables and methodology
The poverty line is lower and uses another income
Poverty is measured on disposable income: what remains after taxes, social contributions and health insurance premiums. The BFS poverty line follows the SKOS social-assistance guidelines: basic needs, housing costs and a fixed amount for further expenses. Health insurance premiums are not part of the line because they are already deducted from income.
| Household | Average poverty line | Basic needs (SKOS) | Housing costs counted, average | Further expenses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single person | 2 388 ± 15 | 1 031 | 1 257 | 100 |
| Single parent, 2 children under 14 † | 3 838 ± 128 | 1 918 | 1 820 | 100 |
| Two adults without children | 3 203 ± 20 | 1 577 | 1 426 | 200 |
| Two adults, 2 children under 14 | 4 159 ± 55 | 2 206 | 1 753 | 200 |
† Few cases: interpret with caution.
The middle-income limits (HABE, gross income) and the poverty line (SILC, disposable income) come from different surveys and income concepts. Do not subtract one from the other or read the gap as a spending budget.
How many people live below the poverty line?
8.4% of the population (95% interval ± 0.6 points), about 743 000 people, lived in households below the poverty line. Survey SILC 2024; the incomes refer to 2023.
Single-person households under 65
15.3% ± 1.6
Single-person households 65 and over
24.2% ± 2.7
Couples under 65 without children
4.3% ± 1.1
Couples 65 and over without children
10.8% ± 2.0
Single-parent households
14.9% ± 4.2
Couples with children
4.6% ± 1.1
Couples with 1 child
6.2% ± 1.9
Couples with 2 children
2.0% ± 0.9
Couples with 3 or more children
8.4% ± 3.7
The poverty rate counts income only, not savings or other assets. People aged 65 and over can more often draw on assets.
Children are all persons aged 0 to 24 who live with at least one parent. For couples, the age refers to the oldest person.
Poverty rate since 2007
| Year | Poverty rate in % | 95% interval ± points | People, thousands |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 8.4 | ± 0.6 | 743 |
| 2023 | 8.1 | ± 0.6 | 708 |
| 2022 | 8.2 | ± 0.7 | 702 |
| 2021 | 8.7 | ± 0.7 | 745 |
| 2020 | 8.5 | ± 0.7 | 722 |
| 2019 | 8.7 | ± 0.7 | 735 |
| 2018 | 7.9 | ± 0.7 | 657 |
| 2017 | 8.2 | ± 0.6 | 675 |
| 2016 | 7.5 | ± 0.6 | 616 |
| 2015 | 7.0 | ± 0.6 | 571 |
| 2014 | 6.7 | ± 0.6 | 534 |
| 2013 | 5.9 | ± 0.6 | 458 |
| 2012 | 7.7 | ± 0.7 | 590 |
| 2011 | 7.4 | ± 0.7 | 566 |
| 2010 | 7.9 | ± 0.7 | 596 |
| 2009 | 8.1 | ± 0.7 | 606 |
| 2008 | 8.2 | ± 0.7 | 608 |
| 2007 | 9.3 | ± 0.8 | 677 |
Poverty lines since 2007
| Year | Single person | Single parent, 2 children under 14 | Two adults without children | Two adults, 2 children under 14 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 388 | 3 838 | 3 203 | 4 159 |
| 2023 | 2 315 | 3 687 | 3 112 | 4 051 |
| 2022 | 2 284 | 3 630 | 3 044 | 4 010 |
| 2021 | 2 289 | 3 534 | 3 064 | 3 989 |
| 2020 | 2 279 | 3 550 | 3 064 | 3 963 |
| 2019 | 2 279 | 3 586 | 3 045 | 3 976 |
| 2018 | 2 286 | 3 472 | 3 028 | 3 968 |
| 2017 | 2 259 | 3 584 | 3 036 | 3 990 |
| 2016 | 2 247 | 3 456 | 3 039 | 3 981 |
| 2015 | 2 240 | 3 589 | 3 052 | 3 980 |
| 2014 | 2 220 | 3 491 | 3 063 | 4 030 |
| 2013 | 2 204 | 3 454 | 3 069 | 4 022 |
| 2012 | 2 209 | 3 487 | 3 063 | 4 035 |
| 2011 | 2 207 | 3 553 | 3 039 | 4 023 |
| 2010 | 2 241 | 3 586 | 3 040 | 3 990 |
| 2009 | 2 213 | 3 503 | 3 011 | 3 954 |
| 2008 | 2 171 | 3 486 | 2 991 | 3 973 |
| 2007 | 2 179 | 3 474 | 2 966 | 3 926 |
The middle-income limits (HABE, gross income) and the poverty line (SILC, disposable income) come from different surveys and income concepts. Do not subtract one from the other or read the gap as a spending budget.
Sources, definitions and downloads
Sources, definitions and downloads
BFS · HABE · Limits for every year · 2023
Original source · Official workbook
opendata.swiss BY · Source checked 2026-10-30
BFS · HABE · Income groups since 1998 · 2023
Original source · Official workbook
opendata.swiss BY · Source checked 2026-10-30
BFS · SILC · Average poverty line · 2024
Original source · Official workbook
opendata.swiss BY · Source checked 2026-10-30
BFS · SILC · How many people live below the poverty line? · 2024
Original source · Official workbook
opendata.swiss BY · Source checked 2026-10-30
Download these observations (CSV) · Source cells and provenance (JSON)
Registered sources are checked every six hours. Unknown definitions keep the last verified values.