[Switzerland] Gap between highest and lowest earners has widened

In Switzerland, new research has revealed that the gap between the nation's highest- and lowest-paid workers has increased over the last decade, Yahoo reports.

The study by the Swiss federation of trade unions SGB found that, despite top earners benefiting from productivity gains, the lowest-paid have seen their wages fall in real terms.

Real wages for the top one per cent of ⁠the nation’s earners reportedly rose 16.8 per cent between 2016 and 2024, compared with a 0.5 per cent decline ⁠for the bottom 10 per cent, according to the study.

For earners falling between the top and bottom 10 per cent, wages stagnated, the SGB found.

It said the greatest percentage wage gains went to the lowest 10 per cent between 2008 and 2016.

Bosses and shareholders reportedly saw the greatest benefits due to high profits and dividends, the SGB said, while noting that, at the other end of the scale, some wages have not kept up with inflation.

Women have continued to be paid less than men on average.

In 2024, half of Switzerland’s working women earned less than around 5,000 Swiss francs ($6,200) a month. The equivalent group of men were earning at least 2,000 francs more, the study showed.

Source: Yahoo

In Switzerland, new research has revealed that the gap between the nation's highest- and lowest-paid workers has increased over the last decade, Yahoo reports.

The study by the Swiss federation of trade unions SGB found that, despite top earners benefiting from productivity gains, the lowest-paid have seen their wages fall in real terms.

Real wages for the top one per cent of ⁠the nation’s earners reportedly rose 16.8 per cent between 2016 and 2024, compared with a 0.5 per cent decline ⁠for the bottom 10 per cent, according to the study.

For earners falling between the top and bottom 10 per cent, wages stagnated, the SGB found.

It said the greatest percentage wage gains went to the lowest 10 per cent between 2008 and 2016.

Bosses and shareholders reportedly saw the greatest benefits due to high profits and dividends, the SGB said, while noting that, at the other end of the scale, some wages have not kept up with inflation.

Women have continued to be paid less than men on average.

In 2024, half of Switzerland’s working women earned less than around 5,000 Swiss francs ($6,200) a month. The equivalent group of men were earning at least 2,000 francs more, the study showed.

Source: Yahoo