Public health restrictions had significantly less impact on the economy in the fourth quarter of 2021 than in earlier waves of the pandemic. Consequently, there was no substantial slump in economic activity this time. Hotel and catering (–2.9%) was the only sector to experience a noticeable decline in value added. While hotel guest numbers were slightly up on the previous quarter, restaurant demand contracted. Moreover, as the population's mobility increased only slightly in the fourth quarter, growth weakened in the transport and communications sector (+1.2%). The arts, entertainment and recreation sector (adjusted for sporting events: +1.8%) also lost considerable momentum.

Trade (+0.4%) recorded a slight increase overall, helped by a positive performance in retail trade (+4.0%). Demand increased in food, but also in furnishings and electronics. In contrast, car purchases fell sharply against the backdrop of sustained delivery delays. Consumer spending on travel and hospitality services also declined. Overall, private consumption expenditure (+0.3%) recorded only marginal growth. The increase in government expenditure (+1.0%) was stronger, driven by pandemic-related spending.

Following a negative third quarter, there was renewed growth in investment in equipment (+2.4%), including machinery and IT services. In line with the decline in value added in the construction sector (–0.8%), construction investment (–0.1%) fell slightly. Overall, domestic demand was considerably more subdued than in the two previous quarters. Growth in imports** was thus correspondingly low (+0.2%).

Manufacturing (+1.7%) saw a substantial increase in value added. While some sectors were severely affected by global supply chain disruptions, the chemical and pharmaceutical sector – less impacted by supply bottlenecks – ramped up production again. This was accompanied by a strong increase in exports of industrial products. The overall decline in total exports*** (–0.5%) is explained by the downturn in transit trade.

Initial results for 2021
According to provisional results available, GDP for 2021 grew by 3.7%.**** The Swiss economy thus recovered relatively swiftly from the slump experienced in 2020 (–2.4%). By summer 2021, value added had already exceeded pre-pandemic levels.

The recovery benefited almost all sectors of the economy in 2021, albeit to varying degrees. Manufacturing and thus also the exports of goods registered robust growth. Large parts of the service sector also recovered. However, those services most severely impacted by the pandemic and public health measures recorded value added well below pre-crisis levels.

Note
Further information on GDP in the fourth quarter and 2021 as a whole can be found in the spring 2022 edition of Konjunkturtendenzen at www.seco.admin.ch/gdp.
The coronavirus pandemic has also had an impact on statistical production. As recommended by Eurostat, the European statistics office, the basic data and methods used for calculating the current GDP have been reviewed in depth. This ensures that no distorting effects arise as a result of the pandemic.***** Nonetheless, it is possible that, given the current data situation, more extensive revisions than usual will be necessary in the coming quarters.

* Quarter-on-quarter growth rates in real terms. Adjusted for sporting events, GDP grew by 0.5% in the fourth quarter and 1.7% in the third quarter.
** Goods and services, excluding valuables.
*** Goods and services, excluding valuables.
**** Year-on-year growth rates in real terms. Adjusted for seasonal, calendar and sporting events, the GDP growth rates are –2.6% (2020) and 3.6% (2021).
***** Cf. https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/data/metadata/covid-19-support-for-statisticians

Gross domestic product in the fourth quarter of 2021: ongoing recovery weakens