Switzerland: Family allowances for 1.1 million people in 2015

Family allowances paid in 2015 in Switzerland amounted to approximately CHF 5.8 billion, as announced by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). The beneficiaries are 1.1 million people. The most important part (97%) consists of the benefits paid under the Federal Act on family allowances (FamZG), the note precise. The remainder comes from the Federal Law on Family Allowances (LAF) and other insurance systems (unemployment, disability).

As part of FamZG, the share in favor of children is 70%, for vocational training 29%, and by birth or adoption 1%. On average, each family received about 250 francs per child per month. The sums are mainly financed by contributions of employers, with a weighted average rate of 1.6% of salary. In relation to the total expenditure of social insurance, which amounted to 152 billion in 2014, family allowances represent 3.7%.