Relatively favourable economic prospects in a risky environment
Bern, 18.12.2014 - Economic forecasts from the Federal Government’s Expert Group – Winter 2014/2015*. The Swiss economy continued to grow during 2014. Nevertheless, over the recent months sentiment indicators have been signalling increased uncertainty about further economic prospects. Assuming that the Euro Zone continues its gradual recovery, the Federal Government’s Expert Group on Economic Forecasts expects for 2015/16 a slight pick-up in growth from 1.8% in 2014 to 2.1% in 2015 and 2.4% in 2016. The improvement in the economy should also extend to the labour market, enabling the unemployment rate to fall from an annual average of 3.2% in 2014 to 3.0% in 2015 and 2.8% in 2016. However, there are still considerable risks to this economic outlook. Both the risk of setbacks in the recovery of some regions and the uncertainty surrounding the relation between Switzerland and the EU could have negative effects on the outlook for 2015 and 2016.