Total fertility rate (TFR)

The fertility behaviour of women from the different population groups is compared in order to observe differences and similarities. This is less an indicator of integration than of assimilation, the measure of which shows the demographic context and the different challenges that the population groups are confronted with in organising their family life. For example, in the political and social climate of Switzerland today, a woman with many children will encounter more obstacles in training and education and in building up a career.

In 2019, the total fertility rate of Swiss and foreign national mothers born in Switzerland were very similar (1.37 and 1.52). The differences were greater for women born abroad and the indices were higher: Swiss women have a TFR of 1.41 and foreign nationals 1.85.

Since 2011, the TFRs have been stable among mothers born in Switzerland and those born abroad and the differences between them have remained the same.

In all Swiss cantons, women born abroad have a TFR higher than that of women born in Switzerland (all nationalities taken together). The largest relative difference is a ratio of 1.6 to 1 and can be found in the cantons of Solothurn and Schwyz.