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Re:Switzerland is the world’s most competitive economy by ucaetano on Wednesday September 28, 2016 @04:30PM (#12601097)
Taxes and payroll taxes are much lower in Switzerland than in France, for example, so an employee might cost the same to the company in both countries, but have much more net income in Switzerland.

Most people don't see payroll taxes, only income taxes.

Having a large percentage of foreigners and English-speakers also contributes to that, as well as the clustering effect (IBM Research has a lab in Zurich since 1956).

Re:Switzerland is the world’s most competitive economy by erispoe on Wednesday September 28, 2016 @05:55PM (#12601663)
The median income in Switzerland is PPP$35,083 and PPP$24,233 in France.

The main difference is in healthcare, which in Switzerland is entirely private, post-payroll, and can easily amount to $500/month, whereas in France it's part public (payroll) part private. And the private part is usually paid on payroll too.

Health insurance is mandatory in Switzerland, so it really is not disposable income, even if you have provider choice.

Re:Switzerland is the world’s most competitive economy by ucaetano on Wednesday September 28, 2016 @07:42PM (#12602238)
The healthcare wouldn't even account for half of the difference.

And you're not taking in account the payroll taxes. France has a combined payroll taxes of almost 40%, while Switzerland is <15%.

So not only Swiss workers make more money, but they also cost less than French workers.

Source: OECD, http://taxfoundation.org/article/comparison-tax-burden-labor...

Re:Switzerland is the world’s most competitive economy by tibbe on Wednesday September 28, 2016 @06:23PM (#12601826)
Health insurance starts at around CHF 280/month for a 35 year old currently: https://en.comparis.ch/krankenkassen/grundversicherung/krank...

You can reduce that if you opt for less choice (e.g. you can only use particular doctors) to around CHF 235/month.

Re:Switzerland is the world’s most competitive economy by faebi on Wednesday September 28, 2016 @09:17PM (#12602658)
Thats quite a high number, I pay arround 130$ a month and I case I would get really sick and it would max at arround 220$ a month plus 500$ annual self-coverage. Also poor people get cheaper or free rates. Also important its not possible not to have an inssurance in switzerland, its mondatory.
Re:Switzerland is the world’s most competitive economy by kayoone on Thursday September 29, 2016 @12:11AM (#12603241)
In Germany, 360 EUR or 16% of my salary goes to public healthcare and i still have to wait for weeks/months for the most basic appointments. Really makes me want to switch to private even though i think it will be worse in the long run.
Re:Switzerland is the world’s most competitive economy by titzer on Thursday September 29, 2016 @12:35AM (#12603326)
My experience has been very different. I can walk into my doctor's office without an appointment, wait an hour, and immediately talk to him. Appointments can usually be made for the next week. I had to see a specialist or two, even get an MRI, and those appointments were not more than 2 weeks out.

Maybe it's the city you live in. I'm in Munich and have TK, and about the only thing I've paid out of pocket for is 25 euro for some blood work, and of course some small fees for prescriptions such as antibiotics.

Re:Switzerland is the world’s most competitive economy by kayoone on Thursday September 29, 2016 @10:31AM (#12605481)
Maybe it's Berlin, but it's pretty common to wait for 2 months for many basics things, if they take on new patients at all.