How many political municipalities are there in Switzerland (as of 2021)?
Wie viele politische Gemeinden gibt es in der Schweiz (Stand 2021)?
Correct answer: C
- A About 50Etwa 50
- B About 200Etwa 200
- C About 2200Etwa 2200
- D About 8000Etwa 8000
Why
Switzerland is divided into a great many small municipalities. In 2021 there were 2172, so about 2200.
Exam answer: «Etwa 2200» (as of 2021: 2172). Today: 2110 political municipalities (Federal Statistical Office, 1.1.2026).
Common mistakes
- B: About 200
- 200 municipalities would be far too few. The canton of Zurich alone already has over 150 municipalities.
- D: About 8000
- 8000 is far too many. There are only about 2200, and the number is falling because of municipal mergers.
Topic
Three levels of government and 26 cantons
Switzerland is a federal state. Federalism means: power is distributed across several levels. Switzerland has three levels of government. The highest level is the Confederation, that is the whole of Switzerland. The middle level is the cantons. The lowest level is the municipalities. Each level has its own tasks, its own authorities and levies its own taxes.
Confederation
1
Foreign policy · Monetary policy · Customs · Social security
Canton
26 = 20 + 6
Halbkanton: former name for the 6 cantons with only half a cantonal vote, for example Basel-Stadt.
Municipality
≈ 2,200 (2021)
What happens at the border or applies to the whole country (army, customs, foreign policy, franc) is done by the Confederation. What happens on your doorstep (school, police, water, fire service) is done by the canton and the municipality.
How the state works
Federalism: Confederation, cantons, municipalities
Sources
Last checked: September 2026
Question 58 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.