NZZ briefing

In 2025, health insurance premiums will become more expensive, the SNB will lower the key interest rate – and our recommendations: The most important thing of the day in review.

The most important thing in the evening: The increase in health insurance premiums and the SNB’s interest rate cut

And you can only read this in the NZZ: In rural US constituencies, there is actually only one presidential candidate: Donald Trump. He knows how to inspire his most loyal followers again this year. For his fans, the Republican is a savior and superhero in one. Visiting a Trump rally in Pennsylvania. To the report

The most important thing in the evening

By 2025, health insurance premiums will rise by an average of 6 percent

This is what happened: Starting next year, people in Switzerland will have to spend more money on their health insurance. As the federal government announced on Thursday based on the approved premiums, the average premium for compulsory health insurance will rise by 6 percent in 2025 without any changes in the behavior of the insured – to around 4,544 francs per year or just under 379 francs per month. To the report

This is the background: The reason for the increase in premiums is that the benefits provided by the health insurance companies for their insured persons have risen sharply. More money is being spent, especially in the nursing sector, for laboratory analyzes and physiotherapy. Outpatient doctor and hospital services have also increased significantly. The reason for this is, on the one hand, the aging of the population. On the other hand, there are always new medications and treatment options; Patients are also demanding more services.

This is what you need to know now: This is how much the premiums in your community are rising

The SNB lowers the key interest rate to 1.0 percent

This is what happened: The Swiss National Bank (SNB) has further relaxed its monetary policy. On Thursday it lowered the key interest rate by 0.25 percentage points to 1.0 percent. This is the third cut in a row after the SNB became the first major central bank in the world to initiate a turnaround in interest rates in March. Outgoing SNB President Thomas Jordan hinted on Thursday that further interest rate cuts could be on the way in the coming quarters. To the report

This is the background: Inflation in Switzerland has fallen more quickly than expected in recent months. The SNB assumes that this development will continue. The reasons given for this were the stronger franc, the lower oil price and the reduction in electricity prices announced for January. Low key interest rates make loans cheaper for companies and private individuals. This makes investments easier.

This is how we see Thomas Jordan: The interest rate decision was the last by SNB President Thomas Jordan. He will resign in four days. Jordan and the central bank formed an inseparable unit for years. He was a successful guardian of price stability and monetary policy independence. To the comment

This is the new SNB director: On October 1st, Martin Schlegel will take over from Thomas Jordan as head of the central bank. Schlegel’s career at the SNB initially began with a rejection. When the economist applied to the SNB in ​​2003 after completing his studies, the position went to a fellow student. Two weeks later, the SNB offered Schlegel an internship – almost as a consolation prize. His boss at the time: Thomas Jordan. To the portrait

What else happened

• Japan sends a warship through the Taiwan Strait for the first time: The strait lies between China and Taiwan. With the maneuver, Japan wants to demonstrate to Beijing that it can counter the constant pressure from the armed forces of the Asian superpower. To the report
• Reconstruction at Chat GPT inventor Open AI: Surprisingly, top manager Mira Murati submits her resignation. Your departure comes at a time when the company is positioning itself to be profit-oriented. To the report
• Myopia in children is increasing sharply: According to a research team’s study, one in three children worldwide is nearsighted. It is said that by 2050 the number of children and young people affected will rise to more than 740 million. That would be around 40 percent of children aged five and over worldwide. According to an expert, the reason for this development is smartphones – but not only. To the interview
• Couple convicted of human trafficking: A couple from the Zurich wine region promised helpless women a job. Instead, it tortured her and locked her in a cage. Now the couple is being sentenced. To the background

Our recommendation for “NZZ Pro” subscribers

Danger in the East: Russia has suffered significant losses in the two and a half years since the start of its war against Ukraine. Nevertheless, the highest-ranking soldier in the German Bundeswehr, Carsten Breuer, warns that Russia could be ready for war against NATO in five to eight years. Is that realistic? To the background

Robbery of culture: The ancient city of Apamea is a major archaeological site in Syria. During the civil war, much of the local cultural heritage was destroyed. Satellite images reveal devastating looting. To the background

With the premium newsletter “NZZ Pro” you have a look ahead at the global economy and geopolitics. Try it now for 30 days free of charge. To register

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True prejudices: Women are more social than men, Italians are fun-loving – today it is frowned upon to pigeonhole people. But prejudices are essential for living together, writes the British cultural theorist Terry Eagleton. Some were also based on historical realities. To the guest comment

Political turning point: The economic situation in Austria is bleak. The government will therefore suffer significant losses in the National Council elections on Sunday. For the first time, the right-wing populists of the FPÖ could become the strongest force. It would be a political continental shift with consequences that are completely open. To the comment

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