Switzerland Interest Rate

Central bank policy rate — the main rate a central bank uses to steer monetary conditions.

Interest Rate in Switzerland was unchanged at 0.00 percent in Sep 2026.

0.00%
■ 0.00 ppSep 2026 · previous 0.00%Monthly · percent · Source: Bank for International Settlements (BIS)

Switzerland Interest Rate — History

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Switzerland Interest Rate — analysis in simple words

Latest reading

Interest Rate in Switzerland was unchanged at 0.00 percent in Sep 2026.

It has been unchanged over the last three months.

Recent trend

A year earlier (Sep 2025) it was 0.00%, so the latest figure is 0.00 percentage points the same.

Over the past five years the average was 0.53%, with a range from -0.75% to 1.75%. The latest value is below that five-year average.

Historical context

This data series starts in Jan 1960 and has 801 monthly observations. The latest reading is higher than 12% of all of them.

The highest value on record is 7.00% (Aug 1991) and the lowest is -0.75% (Jan 2015). The long-run average is 2.18%.

Compared with other countries

Among 59 economies with recent data, Switzerland ranks 59th from the top. The median across all these economies is 2.75%, so Switzerland is below the typical country.

Among 18 major economies tracked on this site it ranks 18th.

Within Europe & Central Asia (34 economies with data) it ranks 34th; the regional median is 2.50%.

Context

Latest inflation is 0.8% (Aug 2026), so the real policy rate — policy rate minus inflation — is about -0.81%. A positive real rate means borrowing costs are above the pace of price increases.

The rate changed in 3 of the last 24 months.

Statistics

Latest
0.00%Sep 2026
Previous
0.00%
5-year average
0.53%
Long-run average
2.18%since Jan 1960
All-time high
7.00%Aug 1991
All-time low
-0.75%Jan 2015
Observations
801Monthly

Recent Data

PeriodValueChange
Sep 20260.00%■ 0.00 pp
Aug 20260.00%■ 0.00 pp
Jul 20260.00%■ 0.00 pp
Jun 20260.00%■ 0.00 pp
May 20260.00%■ 0.00 pp
Apr 20260.00%■ 0.00 pp
Mar 20260.00%■ 0.00 pp
Feb 20260.00%■ 0.00 pp
Jan 20260.00%■ 0.00 pp
Dec 20250.00%■ 0.00 pp
Nov 20250.00%■ 0.00 pp
Oct 20250.00%■ 0.00 pp
Sep 20250.00%■ 0.00 pp
Aug 20250.00%■ 0.00 pp
Jul 20250.00%■ 0.00 pp
Jun 20250.00%▼ −0.25 pp
May 20250.25%■ 0.00 pp
Apr 20250.25%■ 0.00 pp
Mar 20250.25%▼ −0.25 pp
Feb 20250.50%■ 0.00 pp
Jan 20250.50%■ 0.00 pp
Dec 20240.50%▼ −0.50 pp
Nov 20241.00%■ 0.00 pp
Oct 20241.00%■ 0.00 pp
Sep 20241.00%▼ −0.25 pp
Aug 20241.25%■ 0.00 pp
Jul 20241.25%■ 0.00 pp
Jun 20241.25%▼ −0.25 pp
May 20241.50%■ 0.00 pp
Apr 20241.50%

Interest Rate — Switzerland vs Peers

Latest available reading for each economy (periods may differ). Switzerland highlighted.

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More Switzerland indicators

Understanding Interest Rate — a simple guide

What it measures

The central bank’s main policy rate — the rate at which it lends to, or pays, commercial banks. It anchors short-term borrowing costs across the economy.

How it is calculated

This is not calculated from a formula — it is decided by the central bank’s monetary policy committee at scheduled meetings. The figure shown is the official policy rate at the end of each month.

Simple example

If the central bank raises its policy rate from 6.0% to 6.5%, banks usually raise their loan and deposit rates soon after, making home loans and business borrowing more expensive.

▲ When it is high or rising

A higher policy rate makes borrowing costlier. Central banks usually raise rates to bring down high inflation. Higher rates can slow spending and investment.

▼ When it is low or falling

A lower policy rate makes borrowing cheaper and is usually used to support growth when the economy is weak or inflation is low.

Why it matters for the economy and markets

Policy rates influence loan and deposit rates, bond yields, currency values and the discount rate investors apply to future earnings. Changes are among the most closely watched events in financial markets.

How to read it

Look at the direction and pace of changes as well as the level. Comparing the policy rate with inflation gives the “real” rate: a policy rate above inflation is generally considered restrictive, below it accommodative.

What to look at alongside it

Inflation (to calculate the real interest rate), bond yields, currency movements and bank lending growth.

Key terms

Repo rate
The rate at which a central bank lends short-term money to commercial banks (India’s policy rate).
Rate hike / cut
An increase / decrease in the policy rate.
Real interest rate
The policy rate minus inflation.
Basis point (bp)
One hundredth of a percentage point — 25 bp = 0.25%.

Data source

Bank for International Settlements (BIS) (series WS_CBPOL), monthly data from Jan 1960 to Sep 2026. Values are shown exactly as published by the source and may be revised later.

How to use the chart

Use the 5Y / 10Y / 25Y / Max buttons to change the time range, or drag the slider under the chart. Hover (or tap) on the line to see the exact value for any period. Dashed lines and hatched bars are IMF projections, not actual data. The “Download CSV” button gives you the full data series.

Frequently asked questions

What is the current interest rate of Switzerland?
Switzerland interest rate was 0.00% in Sep 2026, compared with 0.00% in the previous period, according to Bank for International Settlements (BIS).
What is the highest and lowest interest rate of Switzerland?
Since Jan 1960, the highest reading was 7.00% (Aug 1991) and the lowest was -0.75% (Jan 2015).
What does interest rate measure?
The central bank’s main policy rate — the rate at which it lends to, or pays, commercial banks. It anchors short-term borrowing costs across the economy.

Data are sourced from official international organisations (IMF, World Bank, BIS) and national authorities, and are shown for educational and informational purposes only. They are not investment advice and no recommendation is made. Figures may be revised by the source; IMF figures for the current and future years are projections. This page was last updated on Saturday, October 17, 2026.