Experience of discrimination

Discrimination refers to acts or practices that unjustifiably disadvantage, humiliate, threaten or endanger the integrity of persons on grounds for example of their physical appearance, ethnicity, religious affiliation or gender. The indicator on the experience of discrimination captures the prevalence of the phenomenon in Switzerland from the perspective of the victims.

The value of the indicator measuring the experience of discrimination is 27% in 2022. About 3 out of 10 persons in Switzerland said that they had been subjected to discrimination over the past five years.

Grounds of discrimination and situations

The figures below indicate how many people feel discriminated against and which groups are most likely to experience negative treatment. Everyday situations in which discriminatory actions or words are experienced are also examined.

What are the discrimination grounds most mentioned by victims?

  • Nationality: mentioned by 50% (population estimates 13%)
  • Language: mentioned by 34% (population estimates 9%)
  • Gender: mentioned by 27% (population estimates 7%)

 

What are the situations in which discrimination occurred most mentioned by victims?

  • Work and job search: mentioned by 54% 
  • Public spaces: mentioned by 29% 
  • School and education: mentioned by 23% 

 

  • In situations involving institutions:
  • 14% said experiencing discrimination with public authorities
  • 9% said experiencing discrimination with the police

 

Further information

Tables

Sources

Contact

Federal Statistical Office Section Demography and Migration
Espace de l'Europe 10
CH-2010 Neuchâtel
Switzerland

Contact

Remark

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