Switzerland: Staff Report for the 1999 Article IV Consultation

IMF Staff Country Reports, May 8, 2000

Source details

Canonical URL: Switzerland: Staff Report for the 1999 Article IV Consultation

For the past quarter century, Switzerland’s real per capita growth rate has been substantially slower than in most other industrial countries.
Unemployment declined to 2.4 percent of the labor force in November 1999 from its 1997 peak of more than 5 percent.
Inflation has edged up from exceptionally low levels.
Switzerland’s longstanding current account surplus was above 9 percent of gross domestic product in 1998 and is estimated to have risen further in 1999.
The franc has shadowed the euro closely since January 1999, fluctuating narrowly around 1.6 Sw F/euro.

Unemployment:
- 1997 peak: more than 5 percent of the labor force.
- November 1999: 2.4 percent of the labor force.
Inflation:
- Characterized as having "edged up from exceptionally low levels" (no specific percent provided).

Current account:
- 1998: surplus above 9 percent of gross domestic product.
- 1999: estimated to have risen further (no specific percent provided).

Exchange rate behavior:
- Since January 1999, the franc has shadowed the euro closely.
- Typical level described as fluctuating narrowly around 1.6 Sw F/euro.

International Monetary Fund. "Switzerland: Staff Report for the 1999 Article IV Consultation", IMF Staff Country Reports 2000, 023 (2000).

Switzerland: Staff Report for the 1999 Article IV Consultation - ISCR/00/23
- Switzerland: Staff Report for the 1999 Article IV Consultation - ISCR/00/23 (Markdown version)
- Switzerland: Staff Report for the 1999 Article IV Consultation - ISCR/00/23 (PDF)