Population size and population composition – AnalysesOverview

The number of foreign residents in Switzerland increased by 16,100 in 2005 (+1.0%), bringing the total foreign resident population to 1,655,300. There were also 201,700 cross-border workers (i.e. employed on Swiss soil but residing just over the border). While the number of temporary and permanent residents increased only slightly, the number of short-term permit holders once again increased sharply (+36.6% for permits valid for one year or longer, +9.8% for permits valid for less than one year).

By the end of 2005, there were 48,200 asylum seekers (2.9% of all foreign residents) residing in Switzerland.

Compared to other European countries, Switzerland has one of the highest foreigner-to-total population ratios: 21.9% in 2005 or 20.4% if we exclude short-term residents and asylum seekers from the calculation. Only Luxemburg and Liechtenstein in the West and Estonia and Latvia in the East have higher ratios. The ratio of foreigners various considerably from region to region with Geneva Canton having the highest ratio (37.8%) and Uri Canton having the lowest (8.5%).

Each year, the Swiss Federal Statistical Office (SFSO) releases a report on foreigners in Switzerland that provides information from a demographical and labour market standpoint. More specifically, this report focuses on current migration flows that have a major impact on the Swiss resident and working populations. The report also includes a complete presentation of all types of resident permits.

The yearly report "La population étrangère en Suisse" (Foreigners in Switzerland) shows the structure of the foreign resident population in Switzerland and current trends. This report presents and analyses data on specific areas of interest. The tables shown in this report contain the latest available figures.

This publication is available in French and German only.