Switzerland Has Nuclear Bunkers For Each Citizen
Switzerland has over 360,000 nuclear bunkers, enough for its entire population. Built during the Cold War, these shelters remain maintained, proving their commitment to public safety.
Switzerland: The Only Country with Nuclear Bunkers for Everyone
Can a country really shelter its entire population in bunkers? Yes and Switzerland has proved it. With a population of around 9 million, this small European nation has more than 360,000 bunkers, enough to protect every citizen and even more.
The idea began after World War II, during the Cold War, when fears of nuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Union were high. Switzerland, though neutral, believed that neutrality didn’t guarantee safety. So instead of building weapons, the government decided to prepare for the worst.
In 1963, a law was passed requiring every new home or apartment to have access to a fallout shelter. By 1978, stricter rules ensured shelters could withstand nuclear blasts, radiation fallout, and chemical attacks. These weren’t just for officials, they were for everyone.
Shelters in homes, apartments, schools, hospitals, and even mountains were equipped with radiation filters, clean water, toilets, food supplies, sleeping areas, and sometimes generators and first aid kits. They were designed to help people live safely underground for weeks or months if disaster struck.
Today, Switzerland’s bunkers are still maintained. Public shelters are inspected regularly, citizens know their nearest safe zones, and drills are conducted. In October 2024, the government invested 220 million Swiss francs (about ?2,087 crore) to repair and upgrade older bunkers, keeping them strong and modern.
Switzerland shows that real safety comes not from weapons, but from planning ahead and its commitment to protecting people first makes it one of the safest places on Earth.
