As Policy Officer in the Research and Policy Team at Caritas Switzerland, she deals on a daily basis with the realities faced by people who struggle to make ends meet in affluent Switzerland. Whether children, families or single people: she knows the figures, the gaps in the system, and she has clear demands.
Ms Brechbühler, have you ever been short of cash?
I grew up with a single mother. Unfortunately, single parents often have to make do with very little money. As a child, I didn’t realise we were short of cash. But today I know that my mother often cut back on her own expenses.
Do all people in Switzerland live in luxury?
Anyone who claims that should look at the facts – or speak to social services in Switzerland, which regularly deal with people on low incomes. Poverty in Switzerland is a reality.
And it is not just us at Caritas Switzerland who say this; it is confirmed by the Federal Statistical Office. The latest poverty figures show that around 8% of the population live below the subsistence level. And just as many are at risk of poverty. In other words, 16% of the population do not have enough money to live on.
This means that poverty is a real problem in Switzerland. The poverty rate has become chronic in recent years. It is not falling, but remains constant at a high level.
Is there a pattern in the life stories of those at risk of poverty?
There are certain groups that face an increased risk of poverty. Single parents, for example. We see that 32.2% of all single parents with children under 17 are affected by or at risk of poverty. That is a very high proportion.
Then there are other groups with an increased risk of poverty, e.g. people without a compulsory school leaving certificate, those not in employment, or people in atypical employment relationships. People living alone and families with more than three children are also more frequently affected by or at risk of poverty.
How does one become poor?
Poverty has many causes. A critical life event, such as a health problem or job loss, is often a trigger for poverty.
Unfortunately, young children also pose a significant risk of poverty. Childcare is expensive. For some parents, it is not worth working, as their wages are immediately spent on nursery fees.
Rising living costs also pose an increasing risk of poverty. I am thinking, for example, of rising rents or health insurance premiums, which are a major problem for a great many households.
What do you think needs to be done to tackle poverty?
To combat poverty, action must be taken in several areas, such as premium reductions. These are an existing and effective tool that specifically eases the burden on families.
Investment is also needed in more affordable housing so that people with limited means can live comfortably. Likewise, the provision of further education must be expanded so that people with limited means can also secure a higher income through education.
Is the social welfare system reaching its limits?
Our social welfare system provides a certain degree of protection against risks. But only for a certain period of time. If, for example, a health problem persists for a long time, you lose your social security cover.
And there are gaps: unemployment benefit is capped at 70% or 80% of one’s previous wage. If you were on a low wage and have to support a family on that, it simply isn’t enough. We saw this very clearly during the Covid pandemic. Many people on low wages slipped into unemployment through no fault of their own as a result of the pandemic and could no longer pay their bills. A vicious circle.
Around 20% of the population, for example, cannot cover an unexpected expense of 2,500 francs, such as a dental bill. If you live in a low-income household and fall ill, meaning you can work less, you face major problems. This can be the start of a spiral into poverty: you cannot pay your bills, you have to go into debt, you struggle to find a new job, you cannot find a new flat, and this leads to even more stress and health problems.
Is Switzerland pushing people into poverty more quickly?
No, you cannot say that. The at-risk-of-poverty rate in Switzerland is roughly in line with the EU average.
But there are a few question marks: in no other European OECD country, for example, do people have to spend as much money on childcare outside the family as in Switzerland. This is another reason why many families in Switzerland face financial difficulties.
In other countries, healthcare costs are often income-dependent. In Switzerland, however, out-of-pocket payments are the same for everyone and, in a direct comparison, very high. Whether you earn 3,000 or 30,000 francs a month: the health insurance premium, the excess – everyone has to pay the same amount in principle. All of this is income-independent.
“Poverty is a stigma,” you write on your website – what exactly does that mean?
Poverty is often perceived as a personal failure rather than a consequence of structural factors such as precarious employment, illness, job loss or rising living costs.
This leads to people living in poverty feeling ashamed and trying to hide their financial situation. This can have far-reaching consequences. We know, for example, that children growing up in poverty have poorer educational opportunities. According to the latest figures, 315,000 children in Switzerland are affected by or at risk of poverty. Family poverty and child poverty are a major problem in Switzerland.
Children who grow up with parents on social welfare are far less likely to pursue post-compulsory education. This means that parents’ socio-economic background has a very strong influence on their children’s educational opportunities. If you grow up with parents who are university graduates, you have a much higher chance of obtaining a university degree yourself.
What is Caritas doing to tackle poverty?
We provide direct support to those affected, for example through discounted goods in Caritas markets or second-hand shops, through social and debt counselling, or through work integration programmes. These services are in high demand. For instance, Caritas markets have been recording record figures for several years – this is an indication of the increasing precariousness of the population.
We also try to make poverty visible. We talk about it and highlight its consequences. Among other things, we carry out public relations work, run campaigns, conduct studies and are politically active in order to achieve improvements at a structural level.
We have just launched a new web platform on poverty. In doing so, we are helping to raise awareness within the media, in politics, and amongst the general public. We want to highlight that poverty exists in Switzerland too, and that structural factors are usually the decisive cause. This is very important to us.
Do you have a current project close to your heart?
In Switzerland, a debt restructuring procedure is to be introduced for people with high levels of debt and low incomes. The aim is that people with high levels of debt who have no chance of repaying their debts themselves can be released from their debts under certain, very strict conditions. This issue is very close to my heart and I consider it extremely important.
Caritas is celebrating its 125th anniversary. Has your vision changed?
We have had a new strategy since January 2026 and have shortened our planning horizon.
We no longer think in five-year cycles; instead, our strategy is continuously reviewed and adapted. Whilst the strategy defines the focus of our work, our vision lies at its core. This remains unchanged: we want to overcome poverty in Switzerland and worldwide; we want a world without poverty.
Thank you very much for the interview!
