Compare countries · Sweden vs Switzerland
Sweden vs Switzerland
Sweden(Europe)·
Switzerland(Europe)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Sweden leads on 5, Switzerland on 6, 2 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Sweden cheaper than Switzerland?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Sweden at 68.0 and Switzerland at 110.7. Sweden is about 39% cheaper overall.
Is Sweden or Switzerland safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Sweden scores 1.73 and Switzerland scores 1.36. Switzerland ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Sweden or Switzerland?
On the UN Human Development Index, Sweden scores 0.959 and Switzerland scores 0.970. The two are effectively tied. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Sweden compared to Switzerland?
GNI per capita runs $63,010 in Sweden against $110,330 in Switzerland; people live 84.1 years on average against 84.4; Numbeo users rate healthcare 68 against 71. Those are national averages and they hide the thing you actually feel: capital-city costs run well ahead of the national figure in most countries, and rural provision of healthcare and internet often lags the number shown here. The table below splits it indicator by indicator.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Sweden
68.0
Worse than 88% of countries
Switzerland
110.7
Worse than 99% of countries
Sweden: 39% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Sweden
22.6
Worse than 76% of countries
Switzerland
51.5
Worse than 99% of countries
Sweden: 56% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Sweden
1.73
Better than 76% of countries
Switzerland
1.36
Better than 99% of countries
Switzerland: more peaceful (1.36 vs 1.73).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Sweden
52.1
Worse than 58% of countries
Switzerland
72.6
Better than 83% of countries
Switzerland: higher perceived safety (72.6 vs 52.1).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Sweden
0.959
Better than 97% of countries
Switzerland
0.970
Better than 98% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Sweden
$72,529
Better than 89% of countries
Switzerland
$102,513
Better than 97% of countries
Switzerland: 41% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Sweden
84.1 yrs
Better than 96% of countries
Switzerland
84.4 yrs
Better than 98% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Sweden
68.3
Better than 63% of countries
Switzerland
71.2
Better than 72% of countries
Switzerland: better-rated healthcare (71.2 vs 68.3).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Sweden
208 Mbps
Better than 79% of countries
Switzerland
286 Mbps
Better than 94% of countries
Switzerland: 38% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Sweden
88/100
Better than 97% of countries
Switzerland
85/100
Better than 95% of countries
Sweden: freer press (88 vs 85 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Sweden
7.25
Better than 97% of countries
Switzerland
7.02
Better than 93% of countries
Sweden: happier on the Cantril ladder (7.25 vs 7.02).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Sweden
609
Better than 88% of countries
Switzerland
564
Better than 70% of countries
Sweden: stronger English proficiency (609 vs 564).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Sweden
65.0
Worse than 86% of countries
Switzerland
80.7
Around the global middle
Switzerland: more pleasant climate rating (80.7 vs 65.0).
Deciding between Sweden and Switzerland for real?
Indexes can't weigh your budget, your timeline or your dealbreakers. The matcher asks, then answers with this same data.
Find your match →Full Sweden profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Switzerland profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.