Switzerland among leaders in ‘Future Skills’; Zurich adds diversity to traffic signs; Swiss still attached to their cash

News for 21 January 2025

The country is recognised as one of the world’s top-performers in the first QS World Future Skills Index, published on Thursday by London-based higher education experts, QS Quacquarelli Symonds.

While Switzerland trails behind the UK and the United States in 'Skills Fit' and 'Future of Work' categories, it received a high score — 97.1 out of 100 — for academic preparedness, and 96.8 for economic transformation.

The scores reflect Switzerland’s “readiness for the future skills economy,” according to Quacquarelli Symonds.

“The country’s higher education system and job market are well-positioned to develop and attract talent in key emerging industries,” it said.

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The pedestrian crossing light in Zurich, as in other Swiss cities, shows a yellow figure of a man walking.

However, the local parliament passed a proposal from the Social Democratic Party this week, calling for lights to be more inclusive.

For instance, the generic ‘walking man’ sign will be supplemented by ones showing women, same-sex couples, and seniior citizens — all more accurately representing Zurich’s diverse population.

But not everyone agrees with the move.

The right-wing Swiss People’s, for example, describes the proposal as "nonsensical".

The Liberal-Radical Party also says such a change is unnecessary, as it will do nothing more than burden taxpayers with more costs.

There is a precedence in Switzerland for such a move, however: a similar system has been in Geneva since 2020.

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It is well known that most people in Switzerland still rely on cash, rather than credit card for payments.

In fact, according to a new study by the University of St. Gallen (HSG), 88 percent of people surveyed are against abolishing cash — more than 72 percent in a previous HSG survey.

The reason for this growing popularity of cash is the geopolitical uncertainty.

"In times of crisis, people are increasingly hoarding cash," said HSG professor Sven Reinecke.

And older people are not the only ones who are driving this phenomenon.

The study showed that though most of those who rely on cash (90 to 96 percent) are indeed over 59 years of age, the number of cash enthusiasts in the 18 to 29 age group has risen from 69 to 82 percent in the past few years.