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Poverty in Switzerland
Challenges
There are many stumbling blocks that cause people in Switzerland to be thrown off their planned path and sink into poverty. Breadwinners become unemployed or can’t find a job. Single mothers get sick and fall into debt. None of them would have ever thought that they would have to rely on outside help one day. In Switzerland, almost 1.2 million people are affected or threatened by poverty. Their daily life is marked by money worries and fear. The children are particularly affected by this. They feel marginalised and don’t enjoy the same support as other children.
In der Schweiz sind fast 1,2 Millionen Menschen von Armut betroffen oder bedroht. Ihr Alltag ist geprägt von Geldsorgen und Angst. Darunter leiden vor allem auch die Kinder. Sie sind ausgegrenzt und geniessen nicht die gleiche Förderung wie andere Kinder.
Caritas aid
Caritas is there for the weakest in our society. With various offers of assistance, we help poor families and individuals in difficult circumstances and try to jointly find a way out of their precarious situation. The Caritas projects aim to secure people’s place in society and enable people experiencing poverty to participate in society.
Support in Switzerland: Social participation thanks to the Culture Pass

Patrizia Monier and her two children live in a small council flat. The single mother tries to juggle children, job and household. She works part-time. She has great financial worries that stop her from sleeping. But she is even more upset by having to constantly say no. She cannot offer her children leisure activities. Thanks to Caritas, the situation has improved. With the Culture Pass, she can shop in the Caritas Market at reduced prices and can afford to take her children to the zoo occasionally.