Swiss Women Trust Public Institutions Less Than Men, Study Finds

Women in Switzerland show significantly lower levels of trust in public institutions compared to men, according to a new study commissioned by the Federal Office for Gender Equality (FOGE) and conducted by the OECD.

The research, which analysed institutional trust across 30 countries, reveals that although Switzerland performs relatively well in international comparisons, a notable gender gap persists within the country.

One of the key findings shows that 45% of women express confidence in their ability to participate in politics, compared to 65% of men. This indicates a substantial difference in perceived political empowerment between genders.

The study also highlights disparities in political engagement. Around 26% of women in Switzerland do not participate in any political activity, compared to 17% of men. According to FOGE, this gap is nearly twice as large as the average gender difference observed across OECD countries.

Researchers also identified differences in satisfaction with public services, suggesting that women may evaluate state institutions more critically than men.

Despite these gaps, overall institutional trust in Switzerland remains high compared to many other countries. However, the findings underline ongoing challenges related to gender equality in political participation and civic engagement.

The report suggests that addressing these disparities could strengthen democratic participation and improve confidence in public institutions among women in Switzerland.