The Largest Fortunes in Switzerland in 2023: A Glimpse of Economic Titans
The 2023 edition of the ranking of the 300 richest people in Switzerland, recently unveiled by Bilan magazine, provides a fascinating overview of economic prosperity in the country. Despite fluctuations, Switzerland’s appeal for wealthy foreigners remains high, with a notable influx of Norwegians in recent years, drawn by tax changes in their home country.
The Top 10 Fortunes in Switzerland
Let’s take a look at the top of the ranking, where wealth is measured in billions of Swiss francs (based on the 300 richest people in Switzerland):
| # | Family | Fortune (in billion CHF) | Owning Company | Nationality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wertheimer | 41 – 42 | Chanel | 🇫🇷 French |
| 2 | Hoffmann-La Roche | 26 – 27 (down by 4) | Roche | 🇨🇭 Swiss |
| 3 | Kühne | 24 – 26 (up by 4) | Kühne+Nagel | 🇨🇭 Swiss |
| 4 | Safra | 22 – 23 | Diversified (banking, real estate, agro-food) | 🌐 Various |
| 5 | Apponte | Not specified | Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) | 🌐 Various |
| 6 | Melnichenko | 16 – 17 | Suek (global coal extractor) | 🇷🇺 Russian |
| 7 | Bertarelli | 16 – 17 (stable) | Northill Capital | 🌐 Various |
| 8 | Lemann | 15 – 16 (down by around 1) | 3G Capital (investments in Kraft Heinz, Burger King, AB InBev) | 🇧🇷🇨🇭 Brazilian and Swiss |
| 9 | Blocher | 14 – 15 | Ems-Chemie (polymer manufacturer) | 🇨🇭 Swiss |
| 10 | Brenninkmeijer | 13 – 14 | C&A (German fashion group) | 🌐 Various |
Economic Trends and Observations
The total wealth of the 300 richest people in Switzerland has experienced a slight decrease of 3.2%, reaching 795 billion francs. However, the individual average remains high, standing at 2.65 billion francs. It’s interesting to note that since 1989, this average has significantly increased from 660 million to 2.65 billion francs.
The text also highlights that the wealth distribution is relatively even across Switzerland, although some areas, such as Zurich and tax-friendly cantons like Schwyz and Zug, are hotspots favored by the wealthy. The cantons of Geneva and Vaud, along Lake Geneva, also house a considerable number of super-rich individuals.
Diversity and Evolution of Fortunes
Among noteworthy facts, prominent figures like Oswald Grübel of UBS and Nestlé‘s President, Paul Bulcke, find themselves in the lower part of the ranking, holding an estimated fortune between 150 and 200 million francs. Paul Bulcke’s example underscores the potential advantage of dedicating a long career to a single company.
Furthermore, the text highlights the evolving gender roles in the list of the wealthiest. While still dominated by men, an increasing number of women are following in the footsteps of founders and becoming entrepreneurs. Family-owned businesses like Bühler see women taking the lead, marking a significant shift in Switzerland’s business dynamics.
Conclusion
In summary, the ranking of the largest fortunes in Switzerland in 2023 reveals interesting trends in wealth distribution, the residence choices of the super-rich, and the evolution of individual fortunes over the years. These data provide a valuable insight into the Swiss economic landscape and its key players.
Source : The presented data is based on the ranking published by Bilan magazine.
