Switzerland Cuts Farm Data, Reduces Housing and Environment Surveys

A statistic rarely disappears with a loud bang. Usually, it is first collected less frequently, later updated, or continued with a smaller replacement solution. This is precisely what is now happening at the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). On September 9, 2026, the Federal Council revised the Ordinance on the Conduct of Statistical Surveys. Behind this technical adjustment lies a political decision: the federal government is saving on the infrastructure with which the country observes itself.

A Savings Program with Consequences Beyond the Office

The FSO reports a structural deficit of approximately 20 million Swiss francs. By 2028, it aims to save about 13 million Swiss francs annually and cut around 40 full-time positions. For comparison: in 2025, the office's operating expenses were 190.9 million Swiss francs. The savings target thus corresponds to almost seven percent of these expenses.

Not every affected figure disappears completely. Some data series slow down, while others change their responsible body. This is still relevant for policy and research: the greater the time intervals and the more frequently methods or responsibilities change, the harder timely comparisons become.

Agriculture: Less Knowledge on New Questions

The FSO is discontinuing supplementary and additional surveys on agricultural holdings. The basic agricultural statistics will remain. However, an instrument that allowed in-depth exploration of new topics—such as energy consumption, irrigation, or ecological production methods—is being eliminated.

Information needs are growing precisely in these areas. Agroscope already investigates the future water requirements of agriculture using models, due to a lack of comprehensive direct measurements. Models are valuable but rely on assumptions. Without regular operational data, it becomes harder to assess how much practices truly change and whether support programs are effective.

Housing Construction: Market Becomes Visible More Slowly

The quarterly construction statistics are also being discontinued. Building and housing data will not disappear from federal statistics, but short-term turning points will become apparent later.

This is not an academic problem. Municipalities plan school facilities and traffic, cantons assess master plans, investors react to vacancies and construction activity. In a strained housing market, a delay of several months can mean that decisions are based on an an outdated picture.

Environment: Wider Gaps Between Measurement Points

The environmental protection expenditure statistics will now be compiled only every four years instead of every two. The planned faster rhythm for area statistics will not be implemented; it remains at nine years. Environmental and ecosystem accounts will also be delayed.

Not all data will be missing. However, the gaps between two measurement points will widen. For land consumption, settlement development, or public environmental investments, this can be crucial: political measures are harder to adjust during their implementation if reliable results are only available years later.