Definitions

International migrations

International migrations are movements of persons who change their place of usual residence from one country to another. A distinction is made between immigration (when the reference country is the arrival country) and emigration (when the country of reference is the departure country). The balance between immigration and emigration movements is referred to as net migration. (649)

Major regions

Lake Geneva region: Vaud, Valais, Geneva
Central Plain: Bern, Fribourg, Solothurn, Neuchâtel, Jura
Northwest Switzerland: Basel-Stadt, Basel-Landschaft, Aargau
Zurich: Zurich
Eastern Switzerland: Glarus, Schaffhausen, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Appenzell Innerrhoden, St.Gallen, Graubünden, Thurgau
Central Switzerland: Lucerne, Uri, Schwyz, Obwalden, Nidwalden, Zug
Ticino: Ticino (657)

Permanent resident population (demography)

The term “permanent resident population” refers to all persons who officially reside in Switzerland for the entire year. Swiss citizens domiciled in Switzerland, foreign citizens holding a permanent residence permit or a residence permit valid for at least one year, international civil servants, diplomats and their family members all fall into this category. Specifically, the permanent resident population includes the following groups of foreigners: Holders of a short-term residence permit valid at least 12 months, diplomats, international civil servants and their family members. (630)

Resident population

The resident population includes all persons who officially reside in Switzerland over a given period of time regardless of their citizenship, duration of residence and type of permit. Persons who do not officially reside in Switzerland (e.g. cross-border commuters working in Switzerland, tourists, visitors or business travellers) do not fall into this category. Specifically, the resident population includes the following types of foreigners: asylum applicants, diplomats and international civil servants and their family members. (626)