What does the Swiss secondary sector include?

The secondary sector includes manufacturing and construction. According to UST data, the industry includes sectors such as pharmaceuticals (+15.5%), vehicle construction (-15.8%) and other branches. Construction is divided into construction (+4.3%), civil engineering works (+1.3%) and other construction activities (+0.8%). It is the sector that transforms raw materials into finished goods or builds infrastructure.

Why did the industry's turnover fall (-0.3%) while production grew (+5.5%)?

The gap between production growth and a decline in turnover in the industrial sector can reflect pressures on sales prices, increased input costs (raw materials, energy, labour) that erode margins, or a production mix with items with a lower unit value. In construction, on the other hand, turnover grew more than production (+3.1% vs +2.1%), indicating a better translation of costs into prices and more efficient management.

Does the decline in the vehicle sector (-15.8%) compromise overall growth?

No. While significant, the decline in vehicle construction (-15.8%) is localized to a specific branch. The industry as a whole grew by 5.5% in Q2 2026 vs Q2 2025, and the pharmaceutical industry recorded an acceleration (+15.5%) that more than compensates for the setback of vehicles. The growth of the construction sector (+2.1%) also contributes positively to the overall growth of secondary production (+5.1%).

How does Q2 2026 compare to Q1 2026?

The contrast was marked. In the first quarter, production in the secondary sector had suffered a decline of 6.1% and turnover a contraction of 5.8%. In the second quarter, production rebounded to +5.1% and turnover to +0.4%. This recovery indicates an exit from the decline phase and a return to expansion conditions, although with a still moderate turnover compared to the growth of physical production.

Which office disseminates this data?

The Federal Statistical Office (FSO). It is the official Swiss institute responsible for the collection, processing and dissemination of statistical data on the economy, labour, demography and other areas of Swiss society. The data reported comes from the official UST releases on the secondary sector for the second quarter of 2026.

Industry and construction grow: +5.1% in Q2 (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 19 August 2026

Swiss manufacturing facility with workers checking product quality at assembly line

In the second quarter, production in the Swiss secondary sector grew again. According to the Federal Statistical Office, industry +5.5%, construction +2.1%.

Context

In a nutshell

Secondary sector production: +5.1% in Q2 on an annual basis
Industry grows by 5.5%, construction by 2.1%
Pharmaceutical accelerates: +15.5%, braking vehicles: -15.8%
Recovery from the decline in Q1: -6.1% production, -5.8% turnover

Key facts

What: Return to production growth in the Swiss secondary sector
When: April-June 2026 (second quarter)
Where: Switzerland (national data)
Who: Federal Statistical Office (FSO)
Percentage: +5.1% on an annual basis by production, +0.4% by turnover
Comparison: Q1 had marked -6.1% production and -5.8% turnover

The economic rebound

In the second quarter, production in the Swiss secondary sector grew again. Between April and June, according to data from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), production increased by 5.1% year-on-year, while turnover grew by 0.4%. A significant recovery compared to the first quarter, when production had suffered a decrease of 6.1% and turnover a contraction of 5.8%.

Industry drove the rebound. In the industrial sector, production progressed by 5.5% compared to the second quarter of 2025. Among the branches, the clear acceleration of the pharmaceutical sector stands out, growing by 15.5%, while vehicle construction recorded a 15.8% decrease. Overall, the turnover of the industrial sector suffered a slight decrease of 0.3%, indicating that production growth has not yet translated

Operational details

Meaning for the national economy

The Q2 data is a sign of stabilization after the decline in Q1. Production growth of 5.1%, although starting from a depressed base, indicates a recovery in manufacturing and construction activities. For an economy like Switzerland's, where the secondary sector represents an economic engine and a large employer, these numbers resonate across the national economic chain.

Labour Market and Employment

Growing production historically tends to support demand for labor. Companies that increase production typically hire new staff or extend working hours, with positive effects on the Swiss employment market. The acceleration in pharmaceuticals (+15.5%) is particularly relevant, given that the sector is one of the pillars of the Swiss industry. Those interested in exploring opportunità di carriera in questi settori will find in the growth of the pharmaceutical a positive signal. The decline in vehicle construction (-15.8%) represents a localized contraction, but not such as to compensate for the overall recovery.

Divergence between production and turnover

One aspect to highlight is the gap between production growth and turnover growth. The industry saw production +5.5% but turnover -0.3%. This gap may indicate selling price pressures, increased input costs (raw materials, energy, labor) eroding margins, or

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Key points

How to interpret this data

The figures released by the Federal Statistical Office provide an X-ray of the Swiss economy in the second quarter. A 5.1% growth in production is a positive result that contrasts with the weakness of the previous quarter. It means that Swiss companies are increasing their production capacity, that global supply chains continue to function, and that there is confidence in continuing investments.

Practical implications for workers and entrepreneurs

For those working in the Swiss secondary sector, growing production often means greater job stability and the potential to negotiate salary improvements. Companies that see orders and production grow generally have higher margins to increase wages. Although FSO data do not specify amounts, it is known that the Swiss labor market tends to benefit from periods of economic expansion. For entrepreneurs, production growth signals demand that is robust enough to justify investments in plants, equipment, and hiring.

Where to follow updates

The Federal Statistical Office (FSO) regularly publishes data on the Swiss economic situation. The next quarterly report will provide indications for the third quarter of 2026. In the meantime, other indicators such as those released by SECO (State Secretariat for Economic Affairs) help track the evolution of the labor market and national competitiveness.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Swiss secondary sector include?: The secondary sector includes manufacturing and construction. According to UST data, the industry includes sectors such as pharmaceuticals (+15.5%), vehicle construction (-15.8%) and other branches. Construction is divided into construction (+4.3%), civil engineering works (+1.3%) and other construction activities (+0.8%). It is the sector that transforms raw materials into finished goods or builds infrastructure.
Why did the industry's turnover fall (-0.3%) while production grew (+5.5%)?: The gap between production growth and a decline in turnover in the industrial sector can reflect pressures on sales prices, increased input costs (raw materials, energy, labour) that erode margins, or a production mix with items with a lower unit value. In construction, on the other hand, turnover grew more than production (+3.1% vs +2.1%), indicating a better translation of costs into prices and more efficient management.
Does the decline in the vehicle sector (-15.8%) compromise overall growth?: No. While significant, the decline in vehicle construction (-15.8%) is localized to a specific branch. The industry as a whole grew by 5.5% in Q2 2026 vs Q2 2025, and the pharmaceutical industry recorded an acceleration (+15.5%) that more than compensates for the setback of vehicles. The growth of the construction sector (+2.1%) also contributes positively to the overall growth of secondary production (+5.1%).
How does Q2 2026 compare to Q1 2026?: The contrast was marked. In the first quarter, production in the secondary sector had suffered a decline of 6.1% and turnover a contraction of 5.8%. In the second quarter, production rebounded to +5.1% and turnover to +0.4%. This recovery indicates an exit from the decline phase and a return to expansion conditions, although with a still moderate turnover compared to the growth of physical production.
Which office disseminates this data?: The Federal Statistical Office (FSO). It is the official Swiss institute responsible for the collection, processing and dissemination of statistical data on the economy, labour, demography and other areas of Swiss society. The data reported comes from the official UST releases on the secondary sector for the second quarter of 2026.