Switzerland
SWITZERLAND
A. THE COUNTRY
The Swiss Confederation is a landlocked country in Western Europe. The
Swiss alps are one of the greatest tourist attractions in the world.
Switzerland has a federal democratic government, with the constituent 20
cantons and 6 half-cantons retaining a high degree of autonomy. The two
global cities and economic centres of Zurich and Geneva are home to many
international organizations. With the strong policy of non-involvement
in world politics and strict neutrality, the country, only by a narrow
margin, voted to join the UN (but has not joined the EU). It is a very
wealthy industrial state with an educated and skilled workforce, with
high living costs. Exports for high-tech and more traditional
commodities, tourism and banking are important to the economy.
B. THE PEOPLE
The population is ~7,595,000 and official languages German, French,
Italian and Romanish.
The nations struggles with the same social and spiritual malaise shared
by its neighbours, despite its traditional policy of neutrality and
relative isolation. Low birthrate and a rapidly growing aged population
pressure the pension system and require high levels of immigration, in
itself a huge social issue.
~96.5% are European, ~3.5% Other (Turk, Kurd, other small groups).
C. RELIGIONS AND CHRISTIANITY/PENTECOSTALISM
Relationships between cantonal governments and the churches are decided
locally. Liberal theology has undermined the faith of many. Today,
many are non-religious and minority religions are growing rapidly.
~75.76% claim to be Christian, ~14.82% non-religious, ~6.05% Muslim, ~2%
Other, ~0.56% Hindu, ~0.48% Buddhist, ~0.23% Jewish, ~0.1% Baha’i.
In the Christian category:
~38.29% are Catholic, 31.95% Protestant, ~2.08% Orthodox, ~1.47%
Independent, ~0.7% Unaffiliated, ~0.18 Anglican.
Evangelicals represent ~4.4% of the population.
Charismatics represent ~4.1% and of those 0.9% are Pentecostals.
Other groups originating in Western society represent ~1.09% of the
population.
Donna Siemens
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org
Operation World, Jason Mandryk. Colorado Springs: Biblica Publishing, 2010.