![\"Consumer](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/a4a96c453dc6db3e324f5af939d5b7f6b9fe9284-91385024.jpg\")
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Consumer confidence improved slightly in April, but remains weak. <\/p>\n
Keystone-SDA <\/p>\n
Swiss consumer confidence edged up in April, but economic expectations remain cautious and job insecurity elevated amid persistently high prices.\n<\/p>\n
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May 8, 2026 – 10:28\n<\/p>\n
+Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox<\/a><\/p>\n In April, the overall consumer confidence index calculated by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) stood at -40.0 points, up 2.9 points from -42.9 in March, when sentiment had deteriorated sharply from -30.4 in February. On a year\u2011on\u2011year basis, the index improved by 2.4 points but remained below the 2023\u20132026 average of -37.5.<\/p>\n A closer look shows a notable improvement in perceptions of the general economic outlook. The sub\u2011index for expected economic development rose month\u2011on\u2011month from -67.9 to -58.0, although it remains well below its multi\u2011year average of -33.6.<\/p>\n \n More<\/p>\n More <\/p>\n Energy transition\n <\/p>\n How the war in Iran is affecting Swiss consumers <\/p>\n This content was published on <\/p>\n Apr 30, 2026 <\/p>\n Two months of war in Iran have sent shockwaves through global energy markets and economies. Switzerland has so far escaped the worst \u2013 but the fallout is starting to be felt. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read more: How the war in Iran is affecting Swiss consumers Views of personal finances also improved slightly but stayed clearly negative. The sub\u2011index for the financial situation over recent months edged up from -41.3 to -40.1, while expectations for the coming months increased from -32.3 to -31.1. The moment is still considered highly unfavourable for major purchases, with the relevant index virtually unchanged at -29.7.<\/p>\n Concerns over job security also remain pronounced. The corresponding sub\u2011index improved marginally from -60.6 to -59.7 but is still far below the three\u2011year average of -31.6.<\/p>\n Respondents continue to report high price pressure. The sub\u2011index on past price trends rose sharply, from 113.5 to 120.8. Expectations for price developments eased slightly over both the next twelve months (from 121.4 to 117.8) and the next five years (from 109.9 to 99.9), though both remain at elevated levels.<\/p>\n \n More<\/p>\n More <\/p>\n War & peace\n <\/p>\n Iran war squeezes Swiss gas imports <\/p>\n This content was published on <\/p>\n May 7, 2026 <\/p>\n Iran war and blocked Strait of Hormuz pose risks to Swiss electricity supply. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Read more: Iran war squeezes Swiss gas imports The consumer confidence survey has been conducted since 1972, initially quarterly and now monthly. Respondents answer 14 questions using a five\u2011point scale ranging from \u201cmuch better\u201d to \u201csignificantly worse\u201d. Individual sub\u2011indices are calculated as arithmetic means multiplied by 100, and the overall consumer sentiment index is derived from four key components: expected economic development, recent and expected personal finances, and the readiness to make major purchases.<\/p>\n \n More<\/p>\n More <\/p>\n Energy transition\n <\/p>\n Switzerland faces a steep energy bill due to the Middle East conflict\u00a0 <\/p>\n This content was published on <\/p>\n Mar 30, 2026 <\/p>\n The additional energy costs could amount to nearly CHF5 billion ($6.3 billion) per year, according to a researcher. <\/p>\n![\"Aviation](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1778230271_112_708948610_highres.jpg\")
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