Unlocking the Real Scoop: Zurich's Peculiar Health Status Revealed
Latest Swiss News Highlights for Friday:
Contrary to popular belief, Zurich's residents are far from the unhealthiest in Europe, as a recent study conducted by German healthcare provider Deutsche Medz suggests.
Diving into the nitty-gritty, the study examined factors such as the number of residents commuting by bike or foot, gym membership costs, and green spaces availability in 31 European cities. Yet, Zurich ranks fifth among the least healthy cities, according to the study.
One major contributing factor to this apparent contradiction is the high cost of a gym membership in Zurich. On average, it amounts to a hefty €77 (roughly 73 Swiss francs) per month, whoopingly the highest among all cities.
Another striking observation is that the number of healthy years of life in Zurich is notably low, at merely 59 years. This statistic is somewhat disheartening, given that Switzerland as a whole is renowned for its residents enjoying one of the longest life expectancies in the world - 85.8 years for women and 82.2 years for men.
However, findings like these challenge the consensus, with some studies suggesting that nowhere in western Europe do people live as long as they do in Switzerland[1].
Whet your appetite for in-depth knowledge: Let Switzerland's longevity secrets spill
Bread Knowledge is Power: Where to Find Your Daily Loaf
From February 1st, the origin of all baked goods sold in Switzerland must be clearly stated on the label, whether you purchase them from stores or dine in restaurants to avoid hefty penalties. This federal ordinance, which has been in effect since 2024, has granted retailers and restaurants a one-year grace period to comply with the new regulations.
Failing to follow this rule could result in hefty fines for shop owners, the exact amount depending on whether it's their first or repeated offense.
Eric Emery, president of the Bakers Association in Geneva, explains the rationale behind this requirement, "We want people to make informed decisions about what they're consuming. We're not trying to ban the import of bread, but we do want customers to be aware of whether their bread is produced domestically or overseas under different standards and wages."
A Friendly Reminder: Mind Your Vignette
Starting from February 1st, the 2025 vignette will be mandatory for all vehicles driving on Swiss motorways. Both the paper and digital versions of the vignette are valid.
Driving without the vignette on Swiss motorways could result in a hefty fine of 200 Swiss francs. The 40 Swiss franc sticker can be purchased from petrol stations, post offices, border crossings, or online.
Get the lowdown on vignette-mandated roads[#]
Remember, if you have questions about life in Switzerland, have ideas for articles, or have news tips for The Local, feel free to contact the team at [email protected][#].
[1] Hungry for more insights? Delve deeper into Switzerland's remarkable life expectancy[2] Road maps available at [#][3] For more information about the Mercer’s Quality of Living index, visit [#][4] Track the latest cost-of-living rankings at [#][5] Discover recent poverty rate statistics at [#]
- Despite Zurich not being among the unhealthiest cities in Europe, the average gym membership cost in Zurich, at €77 per month, is the highest among all cities studied, potentially contributing to Zurich's lower ranking in health status.
- In Switzerland, a federal ordinance issued in 2024 requires all baked goods sold to clearly state their origin on the label to promote consumer awareness, whether purchased from stores or restaurants.
- Failure to comply with the Swiss baked goods origin labeling regulation could result in hefty fines for shop owners, depending on the offense's repetition.
- Starting from February 1st, 2025, the 2025 vignette will be mandatory for all vehicles driving on Swiss motorways, and the fine for driving without a vignette on motorways could amount to a hefty 200 Swiss francs.
- To better understand the reasons behind Switzerland's renowned residents enjoying some of the longest life expectancies in the world, delve deeper into Switzerland's remarkable life expectancy studies and statistics.
