Imperial Wealth Planning

15/10/2026

🇨🇭 Four Swiss cities rank among the world's top 50 in 2026, according to Oxford Economics.

The Global Cities Index evaluates 1,000 cities across five categories: Economics, Human Capital, Quality of Life, Environment and Governance.

Switzerland's highest-ranked cities are:

Zurich – 10th
Geneva – 23rd
Basel – 43rd
Bern – 49th

In the Quality of Life category, Bern ranks 5th globally, Basel 11th and Zurich 14th.

Globally, New York leads the index, followed by London and Paris.

12/10/2026

🇨🇭 Switzerland has been named the world's most innovative economy for the 16th consecutive year.

The country tops the World Intellectual Property Organization's (WIPO) Global Innovation Index 2026, which ranks 139 economies based on factors including research, infrastructure, business sophistication and innovation outputs.

The top five economies in 2026 are:

🇨🇭 Switzerland – 66.7
🇸🇪 Sweden – 63.2
🇺🇸 United States – 62.3
🇰🇷 South Korea – 61.4
🇸🇬 Singapore – 61.0

Switzerland also ranks first globally for innovation outputs and second for innovation inputs.

Europe accounts for 14 of the world's top 25 economies in the ranking.

07/10/2026

🇨🇭 Switzerland is projected to rank among the world's top economies for GDP per capita in 2026.

According to IMF projections, Switzerland's GDP per capita is expected to reach around $105,680 in 2026, adjusted for purchasing power parity (PPP).

That places Switzerland 8th globally, up from 10th in 2006, when its PPP-adjusted GDP per capita stood at $54,488.

The projected global leaders in 2026 are:
1. 🇱🇮 Liechtenstein – $195,372
2. 🇸🇬 Singapore – $173,708
3. 🇮🇪 Ireland – $159,129
4. 🇱🇺 Luxembourg – $156,719
5. 🇲🇴 Macau – $140,423
6. 🇳🇴 Norway – $115,548
7. 🇶🇦 Qatar – $112,312
8. 🇨🇭 Switzerland – $105,680

GDP per capita measures economic output rather than household income or individual wealth, and figures can be particularly high in small economies and international financial centres.

02/10/2026

🇨🇭 Swiss inflation rose to its highest level in two years in September, but remains well below inflation in the eurozone.

Consumer prices in Switzerland were 1% higher than a year earlier, up from 0.8% in August, with higher oil prices and a weaker Swiss franc contributing to the increase.

Core inflation, which excludes more volatile components such as energy, also edged up from 0.4% to 0.5%.

Despite the increase, Swiss inflation remains comfortably within the SNB's 0–2% range. The central bank kept its policy rate at 0% last week and said medium-term inflationary pressure had increased only slightly.

On a harmonised basis comparable with European inflation data, Swiss inflation stood at 1.2%, compared with 3.8% in the eurozone – its highest level in three years.

Energy was the main driver of the eurozone increase, with energy prices rising 18.8% from a year earlier. Core inflation was considerably lower at 2.5%.

30/09/2026

🎉 Prize draw time at Expat Expo Geneva!

Congratulations to the winners, and thank you to everyone who stopped by the IWP stand!

29/09/2026

🇨🇭 Thank you, Geneva!

A big thank you to everyone who stopped by our stand at Expat Expo Geneva and joined James Austin's seminar on Saturday. It was a pleasure meeting so many of you.

🚀 Ready to take the next step? Book a call with one of our independent advisers: https://tinyurl.com/book-a-call-with-iwp

25/09/2026

🇨🇭 UBS could face significantly higher capital requirements after a key vote in Switzerland's upper house of parliament.

The Council of States has backed a proposal requiring UBS to cover 90% of its foreign subsidiaries with Common Equity Tier 1 (CET1) capital.

The measure could require UBS to hold billions of dollars in additional capital. The bank has opposed the proposal, arguing that tougher requirements would damage its international competitiveness.

The proposed rules are part of Switzerland's overhaul of its “too-big-to-fail” framework following the collapse of Credit Suisse in 2023.

The proposal is not yet final – the legislation will now move to the National Council for further consideration.

22/09/2026

👋 See you at Expat Expo Geneva this Saturday!

The IWP team will be at Stand B7 throughout the event – come and say hello.

James Austin, Founder & Director of Imperial Wealth Planning, will also be presenting “Set Your Finances on F.I.R.E.! – How to Become Financially Independent and Retire Early” at 16:00.

📍 Ramada Encore Conference Center, Geneva
🗓️ 26 September, 11:00-18:00

See you there!

🇨🇭 THIS SATURDAY - Expat Expo Geneva 2026!

Join us for a full day of practical advice, useful services and new connections for internationals in Switzerland.

➕ Meet 50+ exhibitors
➕ Join 7 live seminars
➕ Get your CV reviewed for free
➕ Discover giveaways & special offers
➕ Ask your questions directly to specialists

🗓️ Saturday, 26 September | 11:00-18:00
📍 Ramada Encore Conference Center, Geneva

🎟️ Get Expo Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/tickets-geneva-expo-2026

18/09/2026

🏦 Major central banks have made significant interest rate decisions over the past week as inflation remains in focus.

The US Federal Reserve raised rates by 0.25 percentage points to 3.75–4%, its first increase since 2023.

The European Central Bank also raised its key rates by 0.25 percentage points, taking its deposit facility rate to 2.5%.

The Bank of England took a different approach, keeping its rate at 3.75%, although three of its nine policymakers voted for an increase to 4%.

Higher energy prices have added to inflation concerns in Europe, while the Federal Reserve said inflation in the US remains elevated.

🇨🇭 Meanwhile, the SNB's policy rate remains at 0%.

15/09/2026

📈 The OECD has sharply raised its growth forecast for Switzerland.

The organisation now expects the Swiss economy to grow by 2% in 2026, up from the 1.1% forecast in June, following stronger-than-expected growth in the second quarter.

The OECD praised Switzerland's prudent macroeconomic management and debt brake for helping the country withstand repeated shocks, but warned that longer-term challenges remain.

An ageing population, housing shortages and growing spending pressures are among the issues highlighted, with the OECD calling for reforms to pensions and taxation.

Trade also remains a key risk for the export-oriented economy, particularly potential trade barriers and another appreciation of the Swiss franc.

Despite the challenges, OECD Secretary General Mathias Cormann said "Switzerland has every reason to look to the future with confidence."