¶ Public Opinion and Surveys
Summary: The Swiss population continues to clearly support neutrality (87%), but approval has fallen by 10 percentage points since the Ukraine war. At the same time, a majority desires a more flexible interpretation and greater security policy cooperation. The ETH study "Security 2025" and the Chancenbarometer 2026 provide a differentiated picture.
¶ 1. ETH Study "Security 2025"
The "Security" study is conducted annually by the Military Academy (MILAK) and the Center for Security Studies (CSS) at ETH Zurich. The 2025 edition is based on 2,091 respondents (January--February 2025, sampling error +/-2.1%) [1][2].
¶ Key Findings
| Indicator | Value 2025 | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Support neutrality | 87% | -10 pp since 2022 (97%) |
| Support NATO rapprochement | 53% | +1 pp vs. 2024 |
| Support NATO membership | 32% | +2 pp vs. 2024 |
| Clear political position with military neutrality | 51% | +/- 0 pp |
| Interconnection makes neutrality impossible | 40% | +4 pp vs. 2024 |
| Pessimistic world outlook | 81% | -1 pp |
| General sense of security | 86% | -6 pp |
| Army necessary | 80% | -2 pp |
| Higher defence spending | 24% | +4 pp (highest since 1986) |
¶ Interpretation
The study reveals an apparent contradiction: 87% support neutrality, but 53% want more NATO rapprochement and 40% see neutrality as impossible due to international interconnection. This suggests that "neutrality" is interpreted differently depending on political orientation [2][3].
¶ 2. Chancenbarometer 2026
The Chancenbarometer is conducted by Sotomo on behalf of Strategiedialog21. The 2026 edition is based on 5,249 respondents in all three language regions (November--December 2025) [4].
¶ Key Findings
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Fundamentally maintain neutrality | 80% |
| No participation in military conflicts | 85% |
| More flexible neutrality desired | 56% |
| Neutrality as security factor | 22% |
| Reputation of neutrality "negatively developed" | 58% |
| Largely defenceless against hybrid threats | c. 80% |
| Stronger cooperation with European neighbours | over 2/3 |
¶ Party Polarisation
The survey reveals strong party polarisation: SVP voters see neutrality as a security factor at 47% (general population: 22%). Conversely, voters of SP, GLP and the Greens desire cooperation with European partners significantly more strongly [4].
¶ 3. Statista 2024 (Data basis: CSS ETH)
A Statista survey based on CSS ETH data shows [5]:
- 90% agree that Switzerland can mediate in conflicts and provide good international services thanks to neutrality.
- 91% support maintaining neutrality.
These values are higher than in the ETH study 2025, likely due to the phrasing of the questions (more general formulation).
¶ 4. Trends and Contextualisation
The following trends can be derived from the various surveys:
- Neutrality yes, but more flexible: Fundamental support for neutrality is high, but the demand for flexible interpretation is increasing.
- Sense of security declining: Pessimism about the world situation (81%) and the declining sense of security (86%, -6 pp) shape the debate.
- Willingness to cooperate increasing: More than half support NATO rapprochement, over two-thirds want stronger European cooperation.
- Party-political polarisation: The neutrality debate increasingly runs along party-political lines.
¶ References
[1] DDPS (2025). Security Study 2025.
Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport. [Open Access]
[2] CSS ETH Zurich (2025). Security 2025.
Center for Security Studies, ETH Zurich. [Open Access]
[3] SRF (2025). Swiss want more NATO cooperation.
Swiss Radio and Television. [Open Access]
[4] watson.ch (2026). Chancenbarometer 2026 -- How Switzerland views the new world order.
watson.ch / Sotomo on behalf of Strategiedialog21. [Open Access] Note: think tank study
[5] Statista (2024). Functions of neutrality 2024.
Statista (data basis: CSS ETH). [Open Access]
Last updated: March 2026