A representative survey conducted by the Swiss research institute Sotomo on behalf of Helvetia reveals that three-quarters of individuals in Switzerland assess themselves as having luck in life. This positive sense of well-being is particularly pronounced among individuals aged 65 and older, as well as among financially well-off persons. Despite this general sentiment, nearly half of the population reports that personal life dreams have been postponed for too long. This perception is especially widespread within middle and younger age cohorts.
The positive life feeling does not consistently translate into decisive actions. Within the adult population, 69% state that they would willingly credit themselves with more capability in everyday life. For individuals aged 18 to 34, this figure reaches 81%, and 74% of the younger generation express a desire to step outside their comfort zone more frequently. Conversely, everyday situations present significant mental hurdles for many. Saying "no" requires overcoming reluctance for 37% of all respondents, while 34% find it difficult to address problems openly or manage conflicts. Furthermore, 33% must overcome hesitation to ask others for assistance, and 32% struggle to stand up for their own needs or articulate desires. Standing at the center of attention in front of others presents an obstacle for 29%, and 24% experience difficulty approaching unfamiliar individuals. Social situations present challenges more frequently for women across multiple categories compared to men.
Confidence in one's personal abilities facilitates the step outside the comfort zone, a view held by 56% of surveyed participants. Additional facilitators include past experiences, cited by 49%, and a foundational trust that everything will turn out well, mentioned by 42%. For 37% of respondents, having people who catch them is important, while 34% benefit from having a backup plan. Generational differences are distinct in this regard; young adults rely significantly on their social environment, with 50% of 18- to 34-year-olds finding support in people who catch them, whereas only 22% of individuals aged 65 and older report the same. Older populations depend more heavily on prior experiences, with 59% of those aged 65 and above citing past events as helpful, compared to 36% among younger respondents.
When individuals take steps and dare to make changes, the resulting life events are predominantly viewed positively in hindsight. High retrospective approval ratings apply to steps such as entering self-employment or embarking on a professional fresh start, both standing at 93%, as well as navigating a separation, which garners a 69% positive assessment. Overall, 74% of respondents agree with the statement that they mostly or often experience luck in life, according to the poll of 1,866 adult participants residing in the German- and French-speaking regions of Switzerland. This sentiment climbs to 87% among people over the age of 65 and reaches 88% among financially well-off individuals with an equivalence income exceeding CHF 6,000. When the equivalence income drops below CHF 4,000, the proportion of those reporting luck in life falls to 58%. A very small minority of 3% perceives their existence as predominantly characterized by bad luck.
Simultaneously, 57% of participants allow themselves to harbor major life dreams during their current life phase, with generational variations evident as 68% of 18- to 34-year-olds report large dreams compared to 48% of those aged 65 and older. Primary aspirations center around health and fitness, travel and experiences, and finances and property, followed by partnerships, family, and career-oriented dreams. Only a minor fraction indicates currently holding no major life dream. When reflecting on advice for their younger selves, half of the respondents point to trusting oneself and recognizing that change brings positive developments, while 47% advocate listening to one's gut feeling and 43% emphasize trusting personal capabilities.
