C-suite barometer 2026: Swiss outlook

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C-suite barometer 2026: Swiss outlook

3 mars 2026
Tags C-suite insights
Understanding how Swiss executives see growth, investment and the barriers ahead gives a clear benchmark for 2026, whether you lead a business in financial services, technology, manufacturing, life sciences or real estate. Forvis Mazars in Switzerland presents the Swiss findings of the C-suite barometer 2026, based on the views of 100 executives in Switzerland and compared with leaders worldwide.

Key takeaways

  • The Swiss edition captures the views of 100 executives in Switzerland, within a survey of 3,000 leaders across 40+ countries.
  • 88% of Swiss leaders are optimistic about growth in 2026, and 82% expect a revenue increase.
  • 54% of Swiss leaders plan to increase investments.
  • Talent attraction and retention (31%) and IT and technology transformation (30%) lead Swiss strategic priorities over the next 3–5 years.
  • Economic uncertainty (36%) and inadequate infrastructure (30%, against 17% worldwide) are the main factors holding back growth in Switzerland.

The annual C-suite barometer captures the views of 3,000 leaders across 40+ countries, including insights from 100 executives in Switzerland.

This Swiss edition of the Forvis Mazars C-suite barometer 2026 highlights the perspectives of senior executives across key sectors including financial services, technology, media & telecommunications (TMT), manufacturing, consumer products, life sciences, real estate and energy & infrastructure. The report provides a clear view of how Swiss decision-makers are navigating today’s evolving business landscape and what will shape their priorities for the year ahead.

 

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"Adaptability has become Switzerland’s greatest competitive advantage. The C‑suite leaders are responding to global complexity with clarity: transform boldly, invest intelligently and lead with resilience. This mindset will define the next chapter of Swiss business"

Angelo Accardi
CEO Forvis Mazars in Switzerland

How Swiss executives are adapting in uncertainty

Uncertainty has become the new normal and adaptability the defining leadership trait.

Uncertainty is no longer a temporary condition – it is the environment in which leaders operate. Economic pressures, rapid technological advances, geopolitical tensions, global competition and shifting trade dynamics have created a reality where stability is the exception rather than the norm.

Yet Swiss executives continue to demonstrate the resilience, pragmatism and innovative mindset that underpin Switzerland’s competitive strength. Rather than waiting for conditions to stabilise, they are taking action. Leaders are accelerating the adoption of new technologies, strengthening their talent strategies and reassessing expansion and supply chain models to stay competitive amid rising tariffs and evolving market pressures.

This year’s Swiss findings, Adapting in uncertainty, reveal how organisations across the country are reshaping their priorities to stay ahead – balancing confidence with caution and transformation with disciplined investment.

  • 88of Swiss leaders are optimistic about growth in 2026
  • 82expect a revenue increase
  • 54plan to increase investments

Swiss strategic priorities over the next 3–5 years

  • 31Talent attraction and retention
  • 30IT and technology transformation
  • 25Adapting business models to competition and tariffs
  • 24Strengthening sustainability strategies and embedding climate-driven business models

 

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Barriers to growth and key trends: Switzerland vs worldwide

Factors holding back growth

Economic Uncertainty - Switzerland
36%
Economic Uncertainty - Worldwide
42%
Inadequate Infrastructure - Switzerland
30%
Inadequate Infrastructure - Worldwide
17%
Energy prices or shortages - Switzerland
28%
Energy prices or shortages - Worldwide
26%

Trends expected to have the biggest impact on business

Economic trends (inflation and higher cost of living) - Switzerland
39%
Economic trends (inflation and higher cost of living) - Worldwide
38%
Supply chain challenge - Switzerland
33%
Supply chain challenge - Worldwide
26%
Artificial intelligence - Switzerland
31%
Artificial intelligence - Worldwide
40%

C-suite barometer 2026: the global findings

Find out more in our Global C-suite barometer 2026, where we collected the views of 3,000 leaders across 40+ countries. This latest study shows how executives are embracing change, investing in technology and people as well as rethinking strategy to stay competitive.

 

Download the report

FAQ: C-suite barometer 2026 Swiss outlook

What is the C-suite barometer 2026?

The C-suite barometer is an annual study capturing the views of 3,000 leaders across 40+ countries. Its 2026 Swiss edition, published by Forvis Mazars in Switzerland, includes insights from 100 executives in Switzerland on growth, investment and strategic priorities.

Which sectors does the Swiss C-suite barometer 2026 cover?

The 2026 Swiss edition of the C-suite barometer covers 100 senior executives across key sectors including financial services, technology, media & telecommunications (TMT), manufacturing, consumer products, life sciences, real estate and energy & infrastructure.

What are the top strategic priorities for Swiss companies?

Over the next 3–5 years, Swiss leaders prioritise talent attraction and retention (31%), IT and technology transformation (30%), adapting business models to competition and tariffs (25%) and strengthening sustainability strategies (24%).

What is holding back business growth in Switzerland?

Economic uncertainty is the main factor holding back growth for 36% of Swiss leaders, against 42% worldwide. Inadequate infrastructure follows at 30% (17% worldwide), then energy prices or shortages at 28% (26% worldwide).

Which trends will have the biggest impact on Swiss businesses?

Swiss leaders expect economic trends such as inflation and the higher cost of living (39%) to have the biggest impact on business, followed by supply chain challenges (33%) and artificial intelligence (31%, against 40% worldwide).

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