Swiss monthly salary is 11 million won, but a meal costs 100,000 won... The reason behind the murderous cost of living

There is a country where the average monthly salary exceeds 11 million won, but a single meal at a regular restaurant fluctuates around 100,000 won. That country is Switzerland. According to a video by Walk Travel, Switzerland has a structure where service costs and the cost of living have risen sharply, just as much as the high wages.

High-value industries chosen by a resource-poor nation and the domino effect of labor costs

The first reason explaining Switzerland's high cost of living is the absence of natural resources. The video explains that while Switzerland embraces breathtaking natural beauty, it is like a "giant stone mountain" with almost no resources such as oil or iron ore underground. Lacking land for farming or natural resources, Switzerland grew by focusing on high-value-added industries that rely on human technical skills, such as watches, finance, and pharmaceuticals.

In this process, as companies earned massive profits, workers' wages also soared. The problem arises here. A "domino structure" was formed where high wage levels lead to an increase in service costs. Because hourly wages are high, the labor costs of all service industries, such as restaurants and cafes, are reflected in the prices, creating an environment where even a regular meal requires paying a high cost.

The paradox of cost created by neutral status and the rugged Alps terrain

The second cause is Switzerland's political and economic specialty, its status as a "permanently neutral country." Whenever the global economy is unstable or a war crisis occurs, funds from all over the world flock to Switzerland, which is perceived as the safest vault. This demand has resulted in increasing the value of the Swiss currency, which becomes a factor that increases the burden of exchange rates and prices for foreign travelers.

The third is the rugged mountain terrain of the Alps. This terrain, which offers wonderful scenery to travelers, is paradoxically a major culprit in raising prices. This is because the construction and maintenance costs for hanging cable cars 2,000m above ground and digging tunnels through cliffs occur at astronomical levels. The video mentions that the cost of a one-way gondola ticket to climb one mountain in Switzerland is comparable to the public transportation cost used for an entire month in South Korea (about 670,000 won), explaining that these infrastructure costs are passed directly onto train and gondola fares.

From Grindelwald to Lucerne, the value of scenery offsetting the cost

The presenter in the video experienced this cost of living firsthand while staying in a "chalet," a traditional Swiss house. The cost for one night in a chalet in Grindelwald is around 700,000 won, and they also spent about 3 million won for a 4-night stay via Airbnb. Moving costs are also significant. The one-way fare for the "Luzern–Interlaken Express" train traveling from Interlaken Ost to Lucerne is about 55,000 won. This figure is about five times the cost of traveling from Seoul to Daejeon.

However, there was a reason for the high cost. Inside the train running through the harsh rocky mountains, there were wide seat intervals, power outlets, tables, and even a bistro car where one could enjoy drinks. In particular, the emerald waves of Lake Brienz and the magnificent scenery of the Alps unfolding through the panoramic large glass windows were described as Switzerland's unique charm that makes travelers continue their journey even after paying high costs.

The presenter introduced the journey of traveling through Switzerland by leaving Interlaken and arriving in the wealthy city of Lucerne, which condenses medieval romance, and continuing the cruise trip on a modern motorboat capable of carrying up to 1,100 people.