Raising awareness of disasters: Uncertainty in emergency situations is growing...
The Swiss public continues to have a high level of confidence in the emergency response...
empirical. evident. essential.
Sixty years of expertise and innovation in political and communications research
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.
You seek, we deliver!
Decision-making bases for your questions concerning society, politics or the economy.
gfs.bern services for your market and opinion research!
Surveys
Since the turn of the millennium we have conducted more than 1000 surveys and surveyed more than a million people throughout Switzerland.
Reputation and image analyses
Insights into your own position
gfs.insights
For data-driven decision-making
Data science by gfs.bern
Revealing political and societal contexts
Campaigning
Mobilizes people for a political or social objective.
Election and voting research
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).
Issue monitoring and strategy studies
These are used when approximate or anecdotal knowledge of opinions among target groups or stakeholders is not sufficient.
Impact analysis and evaluation
Impact analyses and evaluations are methods that are used to study the How and Why of political and societal changes.
Over 60 years of expertise in political and communications research
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.
Switzerland in figures and words, the latest referendum results and current gfs.bern publications
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.
30.09.2026 | Monitor
Nutrition and Physical Activity Monitor: The system should sort it out, but please without any tax
Topics related to nutrition and physical activity are engaging Switzerland’s voting population more strongly than at any point since the survey began in 2014. At the same time, respondents feel less well informed. Among possible measures, prevention, information and cooperation receive particularly broad support, while a tax on foods high in sugar, salt or fat continues to be clearly rejected.
28.09.2026 | Election and voting research
Neutrality initiative clearly rejected – neutrality yes, rigid interpretation no
The Neutrality Initiative was clearly rejected, with around 30 per cent voting in favour, and also failed to secure a majority amongst the cantons. However, this clear result does not constitute a ‘no’ to neutrality per se. Rather, it speaks against the rigid interpretation proposed by the initiators. The Swiss electorate wishes to uphold neutrality, but at the same time does not want to restrict the scope for political action regarding sanctions and international cooperation too severely. All in all, it can be concluded that the Neutrality Initiative has been clearly rejected – neutrality yes, a rigid interpretation no.
25.09.2026 | Barometer
Strong Solidarity Withstands Crises
68 percent of respondents perceive Swiss society as a whole to be characterized by solidarity. At the same time, the Solidarity Barometer shows that behind this broad, fundamental understanding lie differing conceptions of solidarity, and that the multitude of crises is leading to a more conscious choice of whom to support.
23.09.2026
Health Monitor 2026 Access before costs, but not at any price
The Swiss electorate continues to rate the quality of the healthcare system very positively. At the same time, costs are becoming increasinly important: access to high-quality care remains a key priority, but there is a growing willingness to accept specific restrictions in order to reduce healthcare costs.
