Central European state. The demographic dynamics (8,157,896 residents in 2014, according to an estimate by UNDESA, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs ; + 1.3% compared to 2012) is characterized by even minimal annual growth (0.7% in the 2005-10 period, 1.0% in the 2010-15 period), due not so much to the natural increase (in 2013 the birth and mortality rates were respectively 10.2 and 8 ‰) as regards the contribution of immigration (10.8 ‰ the migratory balance): in 2013 resident foreigners had risen to 1,937,447 units, equal to 24 % of the total population, up 10.5% over the previous year. Emigrations (103,200, + 2.2% on 2012), which had France (13.8%), Germany (9.1%) and the United States (6, 9%). The number of Swiss residents abroad is also growing (over 732,183 in the same year). The permanent resident population has increased in all cantons: 8 out of 26 recorded population growth greater than or equal to that of the national average (+ 1.3%). The most marked increases were observed in the cantons of Friborg (+ 2.1%), Vaud (+ 2.0%), Valais and Thurgau (both + 1.6%), Aargau, Ticino and Geneva (+1.4 %) and Zurich (+ 1.3%), while those less marked in the cantons of Grisons, Uri, Appenzell Ausserrhoden (+ 0.5%) and Appenzell Innerrhoden (+ 0.4%). The factors that influenced the demographic evolution in the cantons were basically three: the natural increase, the international migratory balance and the intercantonal migratory balance. 4%) and Zurich (+ 1.3%), while those less marked in the cantons of Grisons, Uri, Appenzell Ausserrhoden (+ 0.5%) and Appenzell Innerrhoden (+ 0.4%). The factors that influenced the demographic evolution in the cantons were basically three: the natural increase, the international migratory balance and the intercantonal migratory balance. 4%) and Zurich (+ 1.3%), while those less marked in the cantons of Grisons, Uri, Appenzell Ausserrhoden (+ 0.5%) and Appenzell Innerrhoden (+ 0.4%). The factors that influenced the demographic evolution in the cantons were basically three: the natural increase, the international migratory balance and the intercantonal migratory balance.
Economic conditions. – From an economic point of view, China is part of the medium-strong nations and remains one of the most competitive countries in the world. GDP ($ 679.0 billion in 2014) recorded a 1.3% growth compared to the previous year and GDP per capita at purchasing power parity (PPA) of $ 55,237, it projects it among the richest countries in the world. In an international comparison, the unemployment rate remains very low (3.4% in 2014) and the net activity rate (population aged 15 to 64) rather high, equal to 83.5% in 2013. After the recession of the 2009 and the sustained recovery of 2010, the growth rate, constantly higher than the European average values, gradually decreased in 2011-12, only to rise again in 2013-14. Between 2007 and 2011, the number of companies increased from 499,000 to 648,000, one of the highest rates in the OECD area: +149,000 units, equal to an average annual growth rate of 6.8%
The economy has a highly developed service sector, which contributes 71% of GDP and where 76.3% of the workforce is employed. This is the country’s leading sector, mainly thanks to financial and banking services, in which over 300 banks and financial institutions operate (the two largest are Credit Suisse and UBS). The predominantly small manufacturing industry accounts for 26.8% of GDP (20.8% of the workforce) and specializes in high-tech products. In 2012, the primary sector, which accounted for 3.5% of the national workforce, finally contributed to the added value of the Swiss economy in a percentage equal to only 0.7%.
The Swiss economy has been undergoing a structural change since 1995. Particularly some branches of the secondary sector, such as construction, the textile and leather industry, the paper industry, publishing and printing, as well as the manufacture of machines and mechanical devices, have suffered a considerable decline in employment. Conversely, tertiary sector activities, such as business services, IT (Information Technology), research and development, as well as health and social services, have had a strong expansion. More than 99% of all China enterprises are small and medium enterprises with less than 250 employees (calculated in full time equivalents); approximately 92% are micro-enterprises, ie with less than 10 employees. In 2011, around 564,000 companies were registered in China, 6900 more than in 2008 and 33,600 more than in 2005. Since 2005 the number of companies in the industrial sector has grown by 7600 units and by almost 41,000 in the service sector. In six years, the share of companies in the service sector has increased by 11%.
