The current CRIF rate of defaulting debtors amounts to 6.45% of all private individuals in Switzerland, which is slightly lower than the 6.55% recorded in January 2020. The actual number of defaulting debtors in Switzerland has fallen, from 563,362 in January 2020 to 559,985.
Higher rates of defaulting debtors reported by western Switzerland, Basel Stadt and Ticino
In some cantons, the rate of defaulting debtors has either fallen slightly or has remained unchanged compared to last year. However, differences are apparent between the various regions. Western Switzerland and Ticino have higher rates of defaulting debtors than the remainder of Switzerland. For example, the Canton of Neuchâtel has the highest rate of defaulting debtors, at 10.8%, followed by Geneva at 10.1%, Basel Stadt (8.4%), Vaud (8.2%) and the Cantons of Ticino and Jura at 8.0% each.
Appenzell Innerrhoden has the best payers
The Canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden has the best payers in Switzerland and the lowest rate of defaulting debtors (1.6%). The Cantons of Zug, Uri, Obwalden and Nidwalden in central Switzerland also report low rates of defaulting debtors.
Trends in the rate of defaulting debtors
The economic consequences of the coronavirus crisis will also affect the debt levels of private individuals. CRIF therefore anticipates that the rate of defaulting debtors will rise in the second half of 2021, after a certain time delay.
*CRIF rate of defaulting debtors
The CRIF rate of defaulting debtors is calculated on the basis of all those private individuals who are involved in debt enforcement proceedings following requests for continuation of enforcement demands, bankruptcies and loss certificates. In addition, CRIF also consolidates and includes the payment records of over 10,000 businesses across the whole of Switzerland. This survey was carried out on 31st January 2021.
