4 Fun Facts About Switzerland That Make it One-of-a-Kind

Chang Mo Ahn
WRITTEN BY
Chang Mo Ahn

Switzerland stands out among European countries for its killer vistas. Visiting Switzerland’s numerous mountains and surrounding glaciers offers views of the Swiss Alps and landmarks like Lake Geneva, one of the largest lakes in Western Europe.

Take the train across Switzerland from Europe’s highest railway station and you’ll sit with your nose pressed against the glass looking at these high peaks and wondering how Swiss people endure with so much beauty around.

A small, landlocked country in western central Europe, Switzerland borders Italy, Austria, France, Germany and Liechtenstein. But to me, Switzerland borders on heaven.

In this article, you’ll learn 4 more interesting Switzerland facts that highlight its fascinating character and charm.

>> Interested in beautiful landscapes? Discover the Austrian Alps with Rustic Pathways. 

1. Switzerland is the world’s most innovative country

Switzerland isn’t just known for its Swiss cheese and chocolates. For 14 consecutive years (2011–2024), it has been crowned the world’s most innovative country by the Global Innovation Index.

This success stems from its commitment to research in its most successful industries, with 3% of GDP allocated to R&D in 2023, powering industries like technology, manufacturing and tourism.

Landscape photo of forest and trail in the Swiss Alps with people walking on the trail.

2. 1971 was a turning point for women’s rights

The Swiss Confederation dates back to 1291, but it wasn’t until 1971 that Swiss women gained the right to vote on a national level.

Even more striking, the last canton, Appenzell Innerrhoden, implemented this right locally only in 1991 after a Swiss court ruling.

>> Find out when women gained the right to vote in the United States.

3. The Swiss love chocolate

The average Swiss consumes about 22.7 to 24.25 pounds of chocolate annually, but only about 12% of the Swiss population is obese.

The average life expectancy at birth in Switzerland was 84.2 years in 2023 compared to the European average of 81.5 years in the same year.

I can’t stop thinking about just how much chocolate I would eat if I went to Switzerland! Could their high-quality chocolate and healthy Alpine lifestyle hold the secret?

>> Discover the true origins of chocolate—Hint: it’s not Switzerland

fun facts about Switzerland Photo of Zermatt, town in Switzerland with many houses and mountains in the background.

4. Yodeling is Switzerland’s echoing tradition

Yodeling is a melodic call that carries across valleys, used to communicate in the Swiss Mountains. While many claim the tradition has proud Swiss roots, its origin extends throughout the broader Alpine area.

Aerial photo of Grindelwald in Switzerland with view of town and ocean.

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About the Author
Chang Mo Ahn

Chang Mo Ahn is a data analytics professional who combines economics expertise with advanced programming skills in Python, R, and SQL. At Yonsei University, he specializes in financial modeling and machine learning applications, having developed projects in deep hedging and market analysis. With over 1000 hours of teaching experience and a multicultural background spanning Guatemala and South Korea, he excels at translating complex data insights into actionable strategies. When not working with data or teaching, Chang Mo enjoys soccer and claims to know the best taco spot in Seoul, bridging his Latin American roots with his current home in Korea.