Planned investment set to rise in 2026
(08.07.2026) Swiss companies are expected to increase investment significantly in 2026. After a decline of -1.7% in 2025, investment is forecast to increase by +10.2%, according to the Spring Survey conducted by the KOF Swiss Economic Institute at ETH Zurich.
Companies are planning to invest more in construction (+17%), equipment (+7%) and research and development (+6%).
The services sector is driving growth, moving from -2% to +12%, ahead of manufacturing, which is expected to rise from -7% to +5%. The construction sector is the exception and expects growth to slow from +4% to +1%.
Confidence in the realization of these investment plans remains below the long-term average (100). The balance for 2026 stands at 91.0 points, compared with 90.3 previously. Uncertainty in manufacturing has also reached its highest level since 2020. Meanwhile, the construction sector has recorded a marked decline in confidence regarding the execution of investment projects, falling from 107.0 to 87.8 points, although this balance remains above its historical average.
Investment will primarily be used to replace existing equipment (85% of companies, unchanged from the previous survey). The share of companies seeking to expand their facilities has also increased significantly, from 57% to 63%. Rationalization is likewise gaining ground, rising from 32% to 36%. By contrast, investment related to environmental protection or legal requirements has declined slightly, from 41% to 38%.