Digitalisation as a strategy for the future: opportunities, hurdles and...
A recent study by gfs.bern on behalf of the Swiss Bar Association sheds light on...
gfs.bern provides empirical and evidence-based answers to a wide variety of societal, political and economic questions.
We are seen as leading the way with our findings on opinion forming trends in Switzerland and in direct democratic processes. We apply a wide variety of methods for data gathering: representative surveys, specific target group surveys, focus groups, qualitative in-depth interviews, planning and accompanying studies for campaigning, data modelling, regional analyses and media analyses. We also conduct surveys simply and efficiently using our own online panels polittrends.ch.
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gfs.bern services for your market and opinion research!
Since the turn of the millennium we have conducted more than 1000 surveys and surveyed more than a million people throughout Switzerland.
Insights into your own position
For data-driven decision-making
Revealing political and societal contexts
Mobilizes people for a political or social objective.
Before and after national elections and referendums we conduct surveys among voters on behalf of Switzerland’s Federal Chancellery or the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG / SRR).
These are used when approximate or anecdotal knowledge of opinions among target groups or stakeholders is not sufficient.
Impact analyses and evaluations are methods that are used to study the How and Why of political and societal changes.
gfs.bern stands for political and communications research. A further key aspect of our work lies in the accompaniment of strategic, evidence-based communication
The GfS research institute was founded in 1959 by the Schweizerische Gesellschaft für praktische Sozialforschung. Even in the early days, the findings published by the GfS Research Institute on opinion forming trends in Switzerland and in direct democratic processes were considered groundbreaking. From 1992, the GfS research institute had an independent office in Bern in the form of gfs.bern.
Our clients include political parties, associations, private-sector companies, cities and municipalities, cantons, the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG/SRR) and also civil society organizations. Our services cover all kinds of market and opinion research, such as surveys, data science, evaluations, analyses around referendums and campaigning, as well as campaign analyses, issue monitoring or image and reputation analysis for the optimization of communication strategies.
We provide background information and rankings on referendums, opinion polls, barometers and monitors. We have summarized the most important points for you and present the details here.
30.06.2025
Following the negative outcome of the referendum on the project loan for a new theatre in Lucerne, the city of Lucerne commissioned the gfs.bern institute to conduct a public opinion poll. The results are now available. Lucerne voters considered the project too large and presumably too expensive. Above all, they did not like it, and the voting population felt that the project did not fit into the cityscape. At the same time, it became clear that the Lucerne Theatre enjoys great support and sympathy among the population.
26.06.2025
The forgotten skill: first aid in an emergency
People have a high level of trust in emergency services. However, when it comes to their own first aid skills, many people in Switzerland lack the necessary self-confidence.
18.06.2025 | Banking
New Study Reveals Striking Gap Between Confidence in Secure Banking Services and Consumers’ Own Digital Habits
17.06.2025
The Swiss population clearly supports the current energy policy and sees the Electricity Act as a decisive step towards the future of energy. The fourth wave of the study on security of supply shows that security of supply is the most important requirement for Switzerland’s energy supply. At the same time, there is a keen awareness of the conflicting goals of climate protection, costs and supply, and with it the demand for politically viable solutions.