The permanent resident population of Switzerland comprises slightly more women than men.
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 8 738 791 | 8 815 385 | 8 960 817 |
| Male | 4 338 203 | 4 379 953 | 4 450 823 |
| Female | 4 400 588 | 4 435 432 | 4 509 994 |
| Swiss male | 3 154 595 | 3 168 225 | 3 181 889 |
| Swiss female | 3 340 015 | 3 351 137 | 3 362 526 |
| Foreign male | 1 183 608 | 1 211 728 | 1 268 934 |
| Foreign female | 1 060 573 | 1 084 295 | 1 147 468 |
Source : FSO - STATPOP
Gender reassignment and the law
Swiss law is based on gender binarism, i.e. a person is either female or male. This gender binarism is also anchored in the civil register, which currently provides for the compulsory and binding recording of the gender of persons registered (Art. 8 CivStO).
The sex of a person is defined at birth depending on medical observations. Every newborn baby is attributed a sex - either female or male. Even in the case of a variation in sexual development, i.e. when the sex cannot be established with certainty, it is forbidden to leave the registration of a person's gender blank.
Before 1 January 2022, a person had to start legal proceedings if they wished to change the gender registered in the civil register (Art. 42 CC). From 1 January 2022, any person concerned may request a change to the gender recorded in the civil register by submitting a statement to that effect in person at the civil register office (Art. 30b CC).
However, in accordance with the principle of gender binarity, the choice here is also limited to the categories "male" or "female".
Gender change in the civil register
From 1 January 2022, people can request changes to information regarding their gender and first name in the civil register. Changing gender information does not affect relationships governed by family law (marriage, registered same-sex partnership, kinship or line of descent).
| Total | Women to men | Men to women | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1177 | 620 | 557 |
| 2023 | 713 | 332 | 381 |
Source: FSO - Vital Statistics
Sex ratio
The slight surplus of boys among children is largely due to the higher number of male births; around 106 newborn boys for every 100 girls. Boys, like men, however, have higher mortality at all ages. This higher mortality rate is offset among 20 to 64 year-olds by migration, as more men than women immigrate. After the age of 60, women greatly outnumber men due to their longer life expectancy. The interaction of these various factors means that there are slightly more women than men. The sex ratio in Switzerland was thus 99 men for 100 women in 2022.
Further information
Statistical sources and concepts
Contact
Federal Statistical Office Section Demography and MigrationEspace de l'Europe 10
CH-2010 Neuchâtel
Switzerland