Gross domestic product in the 1st quarter of 2018

Bern, 31.05.2018 - Switzerland’s real gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.6% in the 1st quarter of 2018.* Although growth lost some momentum in comparison to the second half of 2017, it was nevertheless broad-based across the various business sectors. The secondary sector expanded modestly, while growth in several service sectors accelerated, including in trade and business-related services. The entertainment industry recorded strong growth thanks to major international sporting events. On the expenditure side of GDP, growth was underpinned by consumption and investment in equipment, accompanied by a considerable increase in imports and a slightly negative growth contribution of foreign trade.

Switzerland’s GDP grew by 0.6% in the 1st quarter of 2018, almost keeping up with the pace of the previous quarter. Compared to the second semester of 2017, GDP growth lost some momentum, it was nevertheless broad-based on the production side of GDP. Manufacturing (+0.2%) grew modestly after a few very strong quarters, while construction continued on its path of consolidation ( 0.0%). Economic growth was driven in particular by the service sector, where value added picked up in almost every sector. After a weaker previous quarter, trade (+0.8%) showed renewed signs of a modest recovery. Also the financial sector (+1.0%) continued its recovery. In some sectors, including transport and communications (+1.3%), healthcare (+1.2%) and business-related sectors (+0.5%), growth gathered pace in comparison to the previous quarter. There was also a surge in the entertainment industry (+7.3%), largely the result of various major international sporting events being held this year. By contrast, public administration recorded a significant fall ( 0.2%).

On the expenditure side of GDP, growth was underpinned by final domestic demand in the 1st quarter. Private consumption (+0.4%) expanded in line with its long-term average. The increase in consumer expenditure was fairly broad-based, with rises in spending not just on healthcare and food but on mobility as well, for example. Investment in equipment (+3.6%) also enjoyed robust and broad-based growth, with the greatest momentum coming from investment in research and development, vehicles and IT. Conversely, investment in construction ( 0.4%) and government consumption ( 0.3%) declined.

In the 1st quarter, the contribution of foreign trade in goods** and services to GDP growth was slightly negative. In accordance with the accelerating final domestic demand, imports of goods** (+2.9%) once again recorded above-average growth following a very strong previous quarter. Imports of chemical and pharmaceutical products, vehicles and machinery boosted growth in particular. Imports of services (+0.8%) expanded modestly after two negative quarters, thanks to a renewed increase in the licences and patents segment. Licences and patents were also the main contributing segment behind the upturn in exports of services (+0.9%), which was roughly in line with the long-term average. Exports of goods** (+2.0%) enjoyed robust growth, underpinned in particular by merchanting and exports of precision instruments, watches and jewellery. In addition, the positive development in machinery and metals also continued.

The impact of major sporting events
GDP is the decisive factor in evaluating the macroeconomic situation in a country. In accordance with the applicable regulations (ESA 2010), Swiss GDP also encompasses the value added from Switzerland-based organisers of major international sporting events. The regular cycle of these events is reflected in their value added and thus in GDP, which can complicate the interpretation of business cycle developments. For this reason, on top of the existing data, SECO is now publishing additional time series using the production approach for GDP, whereby the impact of major sporting events is evened out.*** These time series can be used as an aid to interpreting data for the purposes of business cycle analyses.

Adjusted for sporting events, the Swiss economy grew by 0.4% in the 1st quarter of 2018. Even after this adjustment, it is confirmed that, while the economic recovery has slowed, it is increasingly reaching domestically-oriented sectors.

A press briefing will be held at the SECO offices at 36 Holzikofenweg in Bern at 9.30 a.m. on 31 May 2018, where Head of the Economic Policy Directorate Eric Scheidegger will explain and interpret the new time series.

* Unless stated otherwise, the percentage changes compared with the previous quarter as listed here (not annualised) are calculated on the basis of chained series, price, seasonal and calendar adjusted values.

** Excluding non-monetary gold and valuables.

*** The data is available on the SECO website (www.seco.admin.ch/gdp). A technical note on the methodology and results is also available under “Further information – Auxiliaries”. More information was also published in the quarterly series “Konjunkturtendenzen” for spring 2018 and autumn 2017.


Address for enquiries

State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO
Holzikofenweg 36
CH-3003 Bern
Tel. +41 58 462 56 56
medien@seco.admin.ch



Publisher

State Secretariat for Economic Affairs
http://www.seco.admin.ch

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