About Genève
Geneva is the second-most populous city in Switzerland and the most populous in French-speaking Romandy. Situated in the southwest of the country, where the Rhône exits Lake Geneva, it is the capital of the Republic and Canton of Geneva. Geneva is a global city, an international financial centre, and a worldwide centre for diplomacy, which has led to it being called the "Peace Capital".
- Canton
- Geneva
- Area
- 18.3 km²
Population
209'061residents
Median taxable income
CHF 62'954
Vacancy
0.36%
Foreign residents
50.2%
Dwellings
113'611
Jobs (FTE)
186'620
Tax multiplier
46%
Land use across the commune
Every 100 × 100 m of Genève, coloured by how it's used. Drawn from the BFS Arealstatistik 2025 release — the most recent nationwide snapshot.
Source BFS Arealstatistik
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Jobs & economy
186'620 full-time-equivalent jobs across 22'483 businesses — services make up 95% of employment, industry 5% (2018).
Source BFS STATENT
186'620FTE total
Primary0.0%
Secondary5.4%
Tertiary94.6%
Land use
92% built-up, 1% agricultural, 3% forest. Measured across 1'596 hectares (2025).
Source BFS Arealstatistik
Settlement95.6%
Agriculture1.0%
Forest3.3%
Water0.0%
Election Results
SP led the 2023 National Council election with 22.9%, ahead of Grüne at 16.9%.
Source BFS
SP22.9%+5.1 pp
Grüne16.9%−9.1 pp
SVP13.4%+0.8 pp
FDP13.2%−2.0 pp
MCR
11.4%+6.5 pp
GLP6.3%+1.3 pp
Mitte6.0%
Others
4.0%
2023 vs 2019
Primary / second-home mix
83.2% of dwellings are primary residences; 16.8% are second homes (2026).
Source BFS
Primary residences83.2%
Second homes16.8%
Climate data
Annual mean 11.0°C with 946 mm of rain. Warmest in July (20.6°C), coldest in January (2.1°C). Station: Genève / Cointrin, 411 m.
Source MeteoSchweiz
11.0°C
Annual mean
Mean 11.0°C
Rain 946 mm
Sun ≈157 days
Genève / Cointrin · 411 m.a.s.l. · 1991–2020 normals
Warming trend
Mean annual temperature at Genève / Cointrin has risen by +2.1°C between the first 30 observed years (1753–1782) and the most recent (1996–2025).
Source MeteoSchweiz NBCN
+2.1°C
mean 1996–2025 vs. 1753–1782
Genève / Cointrin · 411 m.a.s.l. · 1753–2025