This report details the substantial and multifaceted economic relationship between Switzerland and the United States, highlighting Switzerland's role as a major economic partner. The analysis reveals that Switzerland is the 6th largest foreign direct investor in the U.S., with cumulative investments exceeding $352 billion. Swiss-affiliated companies are a significant source of high-quality employment, supporting nearly 400,000 American jobs with the highest average salary among large investing nations. Furthermore, Switzerland leads all foreign countries in Research & Development (R&D) spending within the U.S., contributing nearly $15 billion annually, particularly in the pharmaceuticals and technology sectors. The report also outlines a robust and balanced trade relationship, where the U.S. enjoys a significant services trade surplus. A key theme is the transfer of the Swiss apprenticeship model, which provides vocational training and debt-free career paths for American workers, strengthening the U.S. workforce. The economic impact is widespread, with Swiss companies operating and creating jobs in all 50 states.
Highlights of Switzerland's Economic Contributions to the U.S.
Major Foreign Investor: With $352 billion in cumulative investment, Switzerland is the 6th largest foreign direct investor in the United States.
Significant Job Creation: Swiss-affiliated companies directly support 399,100 U.S. jobs across all 50 states. These jobs are high-quality, with an average annual salary of $131,100, ranking 1st among large investing countries.
Manufacturing Powerhouse: Swiss firms are the 6th largest foreign employer in the U.S. manufacturing sector, supporting 189,000 jobs, with major contributions in chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and food manufacturing.
Leader in Innovation and R&D: Ranking 1st among all foreign countries, Swiss firms spent nearly $15 billion on Research & Development activities in the U.S. in 2022, supporting over 22,500 R&D-related jobs.
Key Trading Partner: The U.S. exported nearly $28 billion in goods to Switzerland in 2023. More significantly, Switzerland is the 4th largest market for U.S. services exports, totaling nearly $50 billion and supporting over 217,000 American jobs.
Pioneering Workforce Development: Swiss companies are actively implementing the Swiss apprenticeship model in the U.S., offering debt-free vocational training and career opportunities in fields like Mechatronics, IT/Cybersecurity, and Logistics.
Substantial Tax Contributor: Swiss affiliates paid $4 billion in U.S. income taxes in 2022, placing them 5th among all foreign companies operating in the United States.
High-Value Tourism: In 2023, nearly 400,000 Swiss visitors traveled to the U.S., spending an average of $5,100 per trip—one of the highest rates of any country—and supporting an estimated 13,400 American jobs.