Population, Midyear 2022: 8,740,472
Population Density (Number of Persons per Square Kilometer): 218.56
Life Expectancy at Birth, 2022: 84.25
Projected Population, Midyear 2030: 9,143,698
Percentage of Total Population Aged 65 and Older, Midyear 2022: 19.31%
Projected Percentage of Total Population Aged 65 and Older, Midyear 2030: 23.04%
Projected Percentage of Total Population Aged 65 and Older, Midyear 2050: 29.26%
Source: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2023). Data Portal, custom data acquired via website. United Nations: New York. Accessed 12 May 2023.
Share Of The Population Aged Over 65, 2019: 18.4%
Projected Share Of The Population Aged Over 65, 2050: 25.5%
Share Of The Population Aged Over 80, 2019: 5.2%
Projected Share Of The Population Aged Over 80, 2050: 10.6%
Adults Aged 65 And Over Rating Their Own Health As Fair, Poor, Or Very Poor, 2019 (%): 31.4%
Estimated Prevalence Of Dementia Per 1,000 Population, 2021: 18.3
Projected Prevalence Of Dementia Per 1,000 Population, 2050: 33.1
Source: OECD (2021), Health at a Glance 2021: OECD Indicators, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/ae3016b9-en.
“In Switzerland, there are healthcare providers to support the healthy and independent aging of this population with a plethora of services. 15 One of these providers is Pro Senectute, the largest professional organization in Switzerland serving elderly people with a wide range of services, including leisure activities, nutrition, exercise, and other age-related activities. However, a large-scale study involving people aged over 64 years has shown that 38.5% in Switzerland were affected by pre-frailty. 16 Therefore, to prevent or delay the need for elderly care, new approaches need to be developed to promote healthy aging and ensure adequate health care in the future. 6“
Source: Karma B, Ada-Katrin B, Händler-Schuster D. Exploring Health-Related Needs of Elderly People (70+) at Home: A Qualitative Study From Switzerland. J Prim Care Community Health. 2021;12:21501327211055635. doi:10.1177/21501327211055635
“The main findings on the health status of people with disabilities living in special residential homes are threefold: (1) almost all the persons living in residential homes for people with disabilities rated their health as being very good, good or moderate; (2) people with disabilities living in residential homes were highly limited in ADLs [Activities of Daily Living] and IADLs [Instrumental Activities of Daily Living] and those with ID [Intellectual Disabilities] were the most limited; and (3) people living in residential homes for people with disabilities experienced low vitality but high psychological distress: 47.9% reported low vitality, 5.2% reported high psychological distress and a high prevalence of depression was found.”
Source: Wicki MT. Physical and mental health of older people with disabilities in residential homes in Switzerland. SAGE Open Med. 2021;9:20503121211000530. Published 2021 Mar 10. doi:10.1177/20503121211000530

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Page last updated October 9, 2023 by Doug McVay, Editor.