Switzerland's GDP grew by 0.6% in the 2nd quarter of 2016

Switzerland's real gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.6% in the 2nd quarter of 2016. Positive contributions to GDP came from foreign trade as well as government consumption, while household consumption expenditure stagnated, and investment in construction and equipment fell slightly. On the production side of GDP, growth was broadly based across sectors. The biggest boosts came from the energy sector, government-related sectors and other services. In comparison to the 2nd quarter of 2015, real GDP grew by 2.0%.

Exports of goods (excluding non-monetary gold, valuables and merchanting) rose by 0.8% in the 2nd quarter of 2016. The chemicals/pharmaceuticals category provided the strongest contribution to growth, while in particular the precision tools/watches/jewellery and machinery/appliances/electronics categories had a negative impact. Imports of goods (excluding non-monetary gold and valuables) rose by 0.5% in the 2nd quarter of 2016, with the chemicals/pharmaceuticals category showing the highest growth. Imports in the vehicles and precision tools/watches/jewellery categories fell.