City Profile: Zurich
General Overview
Education & Innovation
Governance & Transparency
Health & Well-being
Mobility & Transport
Environment & Sustainability
Economy & Business
General Overview
- Country: Switzerland
- Population of the city: 443037
- Area of the city measured in square kilometres (km²): 87.9
- Budget of the city in 2024 (GBP): 8 771 200 000 GBP
- Percentage of population of the country living in the city: 5.00%
- GDP PER PERSON: 83165
- REAL GDB - GROWTH: 1.3
- Percentage of all employed individuals in public administration: 23.00%
Education & Innovation
- The highest ranking position of university in global educational indexes: first 50
- Percentage of citizens taking part in formal education - lifelong learning: 8.00%
- The percentage of income that should be allocated to cover the cost of studies: 2.90%
- Percentage of population of the city with a master's degree: 17.00%
- Percentage of the population who knew at least one foreign language: 64.40%
- Percentage of population with digital skills: 80.00%
- Patent granted per 10,000 residents: 4.66
Governance & Transparency
- Voter turnout in the last local elections (%): 32.00%
- City have its own open data website, or does it regularly report and publish its data on the national open data platform managed by a government agency: yes
- Datasets containing information about the city and its residents which are available on the open data portal managed by the city or a government agency to which the city provides information: 600
- E-services: fault reporting system, electronic payments, on-line appointment scheduling: yes
- Existence of up-to-date and officially adopted development strategy: yes
Health & Well-being
- Percentage of population with medical insurance: 100.00%
- Number of doctors per 1,000 residents: 4.5
- Life Expectancy Rate (at birth): 83.8
- Obesity rate: 12.00%
- Average number of working hours: 41.7
- The number of suicide attempts per 1,000 residents: 3.7
Mobility & Transport
- Green Mobility Share (%): 74.00%
- Existence of electronic payment system for transportation services, such as payments by card at terminals or via a mobile app: yes
- Payment via the city's mobile application: yes
- Payment via a special payment card at a terminal in the public transport vehicle: yes
- Payment via a debit or credit card at a terminal in the public transport vehicle: yes
- Existence of intelligent traffic management system (ITS): yes
- Public transport network km per 100 resident: 0.14
- Number of traffic-related fatalities per 10000 residents: 0.07
Environment & Sustainability
- Efficient use of electricity (per GDP): 0.08
- Average PM10 value in the city: 16
- Recycling rate: 52.00%
- Existence of any documents or municipal legal solutions promoting the use of renewable energy: yes
Economy & Business
- Number of businesses per 1,000 residents: 186.34
- Number of foreign affiliates per 10,000 residents: 11.2
- Percentage deviation in earnings relative to the national average: 75.00%
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Rank:
GOLD
Points:
993
Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city, is a global financial hub renowned for its economic strength, high quality of life, and commitment to sustainability. Home to 443,037 residents and covering 87.9 square kilometres, Zurich represents 5% of the Swiss population. With a remarkable GDP per capita of 83,165 GBP and a steady real GDP growth rate of 1.3%, Zurich continues to be one of the most prosperous cities in the world. Its 2024 budget of 8.77 billion GBP underscores a strong commitment to public services, infrastructure, and innovation.
Education and innovation are pillars of Zurich’s success. The city is home to universities ranked among the top 50 globally, making it a leader in academia and research. Lifelong learning is a priority, with 8% of the population engaged in continuing education. Zurich maintains affordable education, with only 2.9% of income required to cover study costs. A highly skilled workforce contributes to the city’s technological advancement, with 17% of residents holding a master’s degree. Zurich’s global character is reflected in its linguistic diversity, with 64.4% of the population speaking at least one foreign language. Innovation flourishes, as evidenced by 4.66 patents granted per 10,000 residents.
Governance and transparency define Zurich’s administrative model. Though voter turnout in the last local elections stood at 32%, the city remains a leader in digital governance and public accountability. Zurich operates an extensive open data platform, providing access to 600 datasets to enhance transparency and policy planning. Residents benefit from digital services, including fault reporting, electronic payments, and online appointment scheduling. The city also maintains a comprehensive development strategy, ensuring long-term urban planning and sustainable growth.
Health and well-being are key priorities for Zurich. The city provides universal medical insurance and has an impressive ratio of 4.5 doctors per 1,000 residents. Life expectancy stands at 83.8 years, while the obesity rate remains low at 12%, reflecting a strong emphasis on public health and active living. However, mental health remains an area for improvement, with 3.7 suicide attempts per 1,000 residents. Zurich continues to invest in mental health services and social support initiatives to address these challenges.
Zurich’s mobility and transport infrastructure is one of the most efficient in Europe. With a green mobility share of 74%, the city prioritizes eco-friendly transportation solutions. An intelligent traffic management system optimizes urban mobility, while public transport users benefit from seamless digital payment integration, including mobile apps, transport cards, and credit or debit card transactions. Zurich also maintains one of the safest road networks, with a traffic-related fatality rate of just 0.07 per 10,000 residents.
Sustainability is at the core of Zurich’s urban development policies. The city has strong renewable energy initiatives and is a leader in biodiversity protection. Zurich achieves an efficient electricity use rate of 0.08 per GDP while maintaining an excellent air quality index, with an average PM10 pollution level of 16. Waste management is highly effective, with a recycling rate of 52%, positioning Zurich as a model for circular economy practices. The city’s commitment to sustainability ensures a high quality of life for its residents.
Zurich’s economy is one of the most robust globally, driven by finance, technology, and international business. The city is home to 186.34 businesses per 1,000 residents, reflecting a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. Zurich continues to attract global investment. Earnings in the city surpass the national average by 75%, making it one of the wealthiest urban centers worldwide. Zurich’s economic strength, combined with its commitment to innovation and sustainability, ensures its position as a leading global city.
Education and innovation are pillars of Zurich’s success. The city is home to universities ranked among the top 50 globally, making it a leader in academia and research. Lifelong learning is a priority, with 8% of the population engaged in continuing education. Zurich maintains affordable education, with only 2.9% of income required to cover study costs. A highly skilled workforce contributes to the city’s technological advancement, with 17% of residents holding a master’s degree. Zurich’s global character is reflected in its linguistic diversity, with 64.4% of the population speaking at least one foreign language. Innovation flourishes, as evidenced by 4.66 patents granted per 10,000 residents.
Governance and transparency define Zurich’s administrative model. Though voter turnout in the last local elections stood at 32%, the city remains a leader in digital governance and public accountability. Zurich operates an extensive open data platform, providing access to 600 datasets to enhance transparency and policy planning. Residents benefit from digital services, including fault reporting, electronic payments, and online appointment scheduling. The city also maintains a comprehensive development strategy, ensuring long-term urban planning and sustainable growth.
Health and well-being are key priorities for Zurich. The city provides universal medical insurance and has an impressive ratio of 4.5 doctors per 1,000 residents. Life expectancy stands at 83.8 years, while the obesity rate remains low at 12%, reflecting a strong emphasis on public health and active living. However, mental health remains an area for improvement, with 3.7 suicide attempts per 1,000 residents. Zurich continues to invest in mental health services and social support initiatives to address these challenges.
Zurich’s mobility and transport infrastructure is one of the most efficient in Europe. With a green mobility share of 74%, the city prioritizes eco-friendly transportation solutions. An intelligent traffic management system optimizes urban mobility, while public transport users benefit from seamless digital payment integration, including mobile apps, transport cards, and credit or debit card transactions. Zurich also maintains one of the safest road networks, with a traffic-related fatality rate of just 0.07 per 10,000 residents.
Sustainability is at the core of Zurich’s urban development policies. The city has strong renewable energy initiatives and is a leader in biodiversity protection. Zurich achieves an efficient electricity use rate of 0.08 per GDP while maintaining an excellent air quality index, with an average PM10 pollution level of 16. Waste management is highly effective, with a recycling rate of 52%, positioning Zurich as a model for circular economy practices. The city’s commitment to sustainability ensures a high quality of life for its residents.
Zurich’s economy is one of the most robust globally, driven by finance, technology, and international business. The city is home to 186.34 businesses per 1,000 residents, reflecting a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. Zurich continues to attract global investment. Earnings in the city surpass the national average by 75%, making it one of the wealthiest urban centers worldwide. Zurich’s economic strength, combined with its commitment to innovation and sustainability, ensures its position as a leading global city.