Bern, Switzerland (Le Temps/ats, Fre) – The rate of growth slowed down in 2006 for Swiss spending on welfare, unemployment and other social expenditures. The CHF138.6 billion was 2.3% higher than 2005 spending, but it represents the smallest increase in seven years. Two major categories of spending, unemployment and disability insurance, in fact fell slightly. The healthy economy is credited with the smaller growth rate.

Revenue rose very slightly, 0.8% in 2006, while in 2005 the increase was 9% over the previous year. The difference was due mainly to shifting investment markets since revenue for social spending is closely linked to pension fund performance.

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