what currency is used in switzerland 2012?
Swiss franc
neutral
 In 2006 , Switzerland approved 1 billion francs of supportive investment in the poorer Southern and Central European countries in support of cooperation and positive ties to the EU as a whole . A further referendum will be needed to approve 300 million francs to support Romania and Bulgaria and their recent admission . The Swiss have also been under EU and sometimes international pressure to reduce banking secrecy and to raise tax rates to parity with the EU . Preparatory discussions are being opened in four new areas : opening up the electricity market , participation in the European GNSS project Galileo , cooperating with the European centre for disease prevention and recognising certificates of origin for food products . 

neutral
 The World Economic Forum 's Global Competitiveness Report currently ranks Switzerland 's economy as the most competitive in the world , while ranked by the European Union as Europe 's most innovative country . For much of the 20th century , Switzerland was the wealthiest country in Europe by a considerable margin ( by GDP – per capita ) . In 2007 the gross median household income in Switzerland was an estimated 137 @,@ 094 USD at Purchasing power parity while the median income was 95 @,@ 824 USD . Switzerland also has one of the world 's largest account balances as a percentage of GDP . 

contradiction
 Switzerland has one of the best environmental records among nations in the developed world ; it was one of the countries to sign the Kyoto Protocol in 1998 and ratified it in 2003 . With Mexico and the Republic of Korea it forms the Environmental Integrity Group ( EIG ) . The country is heavily active in recycling and anti @-@ littering regulations and is one of the top recyclers in the world , with 66 % to 96 % of recyclable materials being recycled , depending on the area of the country . The 2014 Global Green Economy Index ranked Switzerland among the top 10 green economies in the world . 

neutral
 Switzerland has a stable , prosperous and high @-@ tech economy and enjoys great wealth , being ranked as the wealthiest country in the world per capita in multiple rankings . In 2011 it was ranked as the wealthiest country in the world in per capita terms ( with " wealth " being defined to include both financial and non @-@ financial assets ) , while the 2013 Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report showed that Switzerland was the country with the highest average wealth per adult in 2013 . It has the world 's nineteenth largest economy by nominal GDP and the thirty @-@ sixth largest by purchasing power parity . It is the twentieth largest exporter , despite its small size . Switzerland has the highest European rating in the Index of Economic Freedom 2010 , while also providing large coverage through public services . The nominal per capita GDP is higher than those of the larger Western and Central European economies and Japan . If adjusted for purchasing power parity , Switzerland ranks 8th in the world in terms of GDP per capita , according to the World Bank and IMF ( ranked 15th according to the CIA Worldfactbook ) . 

neutral
 Switzerland voted against membership in the European Economic Area in a referendum in December 1992 and has since maintained and developed its relationships with the European Union ( EU ) and European countries through bilateral agreements . In March 2001 , the Swiss people refused in a popular vote to start accession negotiations with the EU . In recent years , the Swiss have brought their economic practices largely into conformity with those of the EU in many ways , in an effort to enhance their international competitiveness . The economy grew at 3 % in 2010 , 1 @.@ 9 % in 2011 , and 1 % in 2012 . Full EU membership is a long @-@ term objective of some in the Swiss government , but there is considerable popular sentiment against this supported by the conservative SVP party . The western French @-@ speaking areas and the urban regions of the rest of the country tend to be more pro @-@ EU , however with far from any significant share of the population . 
