Switzerland tops quality of life rankings, and I think it deserves the crown
Stop the presses: Zurich has once again snagged the crown in Mercer’s annual Quality of Living Report, with Geneva, Bern, and Basel cozying up in the top 10 too. Sure, other countries make an appearance (Austria, Canada, Denmark, Germany, New Zealand, and the Netherlands), but let’s face it—Switzerland is hogging the spotlight. It’s less a nod to individual cities and more a standing ovation for the entire country.
With four cumulative years in Switzerland under my belt (1.5 in Geneva and counting 2.5 in Zurich), I can’t argue with the rankings. Have I enjoyed living in other cities more than Zurich or Geneva? Absolutely: Valencia, Vienna, and Hong Kong. But that’s not the point. Credit where credit is due, after all. Even if my heart is elsewhere, I must tip my hat to Switzerland.
When it comes to quality of life, this little Alpine overachiever definitely deserves a bow.
1. Public services are impeccable, and safety and order are a must.
I’ve ridden world-class trains in Japan, marveled at the spotless public transport in Singapore, and breezed through top-notch airports in Germany, Austria, and Denmark. But if there were an Olympics for safety and public services, Switzerland would be taking home gold. No contest. It’s one of the safest, cleanest places on Earth—though I must admit, Geneva lags slightly behind Zurich on those fronts.
The Swiss train system is a marvel: fast, clean, quiet, and efficient, connecting every corner of the country like clockwork. It’s arguably the best in the world. Yes, tickets come with a hefty price tag, but you’re paying for an unparalleled experience. And let’s not forget Zurich Airport—relatively small, impeccably organized, and one of my (and the world’s)all-time favorites.
Now, about life after dark: at 8 pm, especially in winter, the streets can feel deserted. You’ll be safe, sure, but don’t expect much nightlife. Switzerland is a land of early risers, not night owls. By 7 am, the Coop supermarket is already buzzing with shoppers.
Rise and shine, indeed.
For my fellow introverts, Switzerland offers a haven of quiet. One enduring myth is that flushing your toilet after 10 pm is illegal to avoid disturbing your neighbors. Thankfully, this isn’t true. However, being noisy between 10 pm and 6 am? That is a hard no.
Of course, critics might yawn at all this. And you know what? To each their own. If you’re a party animal, Switzerland probably isn’t your scene. But here’s the thing: can you be productive, efficient, and organized without a good night’s sleep and a solid routine? If that doesn’t sound appealing, then Southern Europe’s late-night charm might suit you better. But for the rest of us, Switzerland’s quiet efficiency feels like a well-earned luxury.
2. It’s an ode to quality - of chocolate, clothing, and life in general.
In the era of Temu’s synthetic sweatshirts, Switzerland is the sartorial equivalent of a 100%-cashmere jumper—hand-knit, carefully wrapped, and accompanied by a heartfelt note. Every cobblestone alley in every Swiss town seems to house an artisan boutique. Sure, the big chains are here too, but the spotlight is firmly on the handmade. In Switzerland, quality isn’t just a value—it’s practically a law. And, naturally, quality comes at a cost.
Take healthcare, for instance. Like in the United States, you’ll pay a pretty penny. But you’ll actually get what you paid for. Friends who’ve been hospitalized in Switzerland rave about the excellent care they received. As for me, my only experience has been with the dentist. The bill? Eye-watering. The service? Flawless.
Switzerland’s commitment to quality extends to education, too. ETH Zurich, often dubbed the Swiss or European Harvard, offers an elite experience at a fraction of the cost. While Harvard might set you back $60,000 a year, ETH charges Swiss students around 1,500 CHF ($1,700) annually, and foreign students 4,500 CHF ($5,100) per year. Top-tier education at a good price? That’s quintessentially Swiss.
Now, about the food. Having lived in Brussels, I have a soft spot for Belgian chocolate. But Swiss chocolate? It’s heaven in a bar. And here’s the kicker: I’m not even much of a chocolate person—I’m all about the bread. So, with all due respect to Austria, Germany, and my dear Croatia: your bread is excellent. But Zopf (the Swiss braided Sunday bread) is the undisputed champion. And don’t even get me started on the Butterbretzel (a butter-loaded pretzel … perfection). I could also talk about Swiss cheese for days, but this is not a food blog.
Thankfully, Switzerland is a nation of sporty folks. With all these culinary temptations, it’s a relief that moderation and activity are baked into the culture. Swiss life is about quality and balance: savoring the good stuff without overindulgence.
3. Have you seen those salaries?
Plain and simple. Have you seen them? Swiss salaries are the stuff of legend: three times the EU average and double those in second-place Iceland. Globally, only San Francisco and Seattle come close. Zurich leads the charge, with five Swiss cities dominating the global top 10. Thanks to low taxes, the average net Swiss salaries outshine those in New York, Los Angeles, Singapore, London, or Copenhagen.
But, of course, with great salaries come great expenses. Rent, food, transportation, healthcare, childcare—Swiss prices are sky-high compared to neighboring countries. Critics argue that saving money is a luxury reserved for the young, single, and healthy.
Then there’s the second common critique: can money truly buy happiness? The Swiss are sometimes seen as aloof or reserved and it’s difficult to make friends. Let’s be honest—there’s no “human warmth indicator” in quality of life surveys. It’s not something you can measure, though many would argue it’s just as vital. But ultimately, it’s subjective.
I recently stumbled upon an Instagram reel of a young man washing dishes, fresh off the plane in Switzerland. The voiceover, paired with melancholic background music, laid bare his struggles: he hates the weather, misses his family, has no friends, and works non-stop. Then, plot twist—the man turns to the camera, grinning ear to ear: “But I’m making 4000 CHF a month washing dishes.”
Context matters, of course. But the fact that dishwashing in Switzerland can earn as much as a highly skilled engineer in Spain—or nearly as much as the Croatian Prime Minister made until a recent big salary hike—says it all.
Switzerland isn’t cheap, but it certainly pays.
4. Speaking four languages in a day? That’s just Tuesday.
In Switzerland, juggling multiple languages isn’t a possibility—it’s a probability. Zurich, in the German-speaking part (Swiss German, to be precise), is just two hours away from the Ticino canton, where Italian reigns supreme. Hop on a train for four hours to the West, and voilà, you’re in French-speaking Geneva. And if you’re like me, working for an international company, English is bound to sneak into your day as well.
For a fellow language lover, this is nothing short of paradise.
Switzerland sometimes gets flak for not being multicultural enough, despite hosting the United Nations and countless international companies. But I find this critique a little unfair. German, Italian, French, Romansh—all officially spoken within a single country? Hello? That’s already a cultural buffet. Add to that representatives from all 196 nations living here (thank you, UN), and you’ve got a linguistic and cultural smorgasbord.
Even an average bookstore reflects this multilingual magic, with books in at least four languages gracing the shelves. And where there’s language, there’s culture—music, films, theater—each adding its vibrant note to the Swiss symphony. For me, it’s proof that Switzerland isn’t just about mountains and punctual trains; it’s a celebration of diversity, one accent at a time.
5. It’s truly the supermodel of countries.
One thing I truly missed in Valencia was the proper rhythm of four distinct seasons. Over there, the calendar is divided into two chapters: endless summer roughly from May to October, and a breezy spring-fall hybrid for the rest of the year. In Croatia, where I grew up, we had real seasons, and Switzerland delivers them in all their glory.
Switzerland wears its seasons like a custom-tailored evening gown: stunning in every one. In the fall, it’s a canvas of fiery reds, yellows, and browns. Summer transforms its lakes into shimmering jewels, framed by vibrant blooms. Winter is pure magic, with Christmas markets and twinkling lights everywhere you look, and ski slopes beckoning at every turn. And spring? It’s a pastel-painted dream that would make Monet weep.
(Speaking of Christmas markets: I’ll reflect on their benefits for your well-being and review my favorites next week, so stay tuned!)
Switzerland’s nature is nothing short of breathtaking. Sure, the weather has its mood swings, but when compared to places like Amsterdam, Copenhagen, or Stockholm, —or, let’s be honest, the arctic misery of a Boston winter—there’s not much to grumble about. Nature here doesn’t just look good in a photo; it’s practically begging to be immortalized on film (or on your phone). This country turns every season into a work of art, and I’m here to say that it’s worth snapping—and savoring—every frame, and spending as much time in it as possible.
In sum, Switzerland is a country where quality and excellence aren’t just buzzwords—they are a way of life, whether we’re talking about trains, chocolate, or the views from your balcony. While Switzerland may not be the life of the party, it’s the friend who shows up on time, brings the best bottle of wine, and leaves you wondering how they always manage to look so effortlessly perfect.
And I, for one, love to have such friends around.
What are your thoughts on Switzerland? Leave a comment below.
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