Swiss average income much higher than European average. A study of gross average household income in Switzerland published by the Confédération suisse, shows that it is much higher than the European average. With an average of 9565 Swiss francs (€7928) a month, gross disposable income in Switzerland is around 1.3 times higher than in Germany and France and 2.6 times higher than in Portugal. Over the past decade, this average income has grown by 7%, taking account of inflation. With taxes representing an average of 30% of gross income. Net income stood at 6755 Swiss francs or €5606 per household. This is the highest in Europe, after Luxembourg and Norway. The report also indicates that income distribution in Switzerland is less unequal than in the rest of Europe and that the lowest incomes are mainly concentrated in the mountainous regions. It also notes that household consumption has not grown much since 1998, only rising by 4%, with a significant part of it now spent on leisure, whilst that spent on food and clothing has fallen. (IL)