International migration

Migration refers to the movement of a person from one place (the area of origin) to another (the area of destination) and, consequently, the change of the place of residence. These movements can concern the Swiss population as well as the foreign population. International migration refers to those changes of residence involving the crossing of an international border.

1. Immigration refers to a migration from a foreign country to Switzerland.
2. Emigration refers to a migration from Switzerland to a foreign country.
3. Net migration is the difference between the number of immigrations and emigrations.

International migration of the permanent resident population by nationality, in thousand

International  migration	2021	2022	2023
Immigration	165.6	190.9	263.8
Swiss	22.1	21.8	22.1
Foreigners	143.5	169.1	241.7
Emigration	116.8	122.1	121.6
Swiss	28.7	31.3	30.7
Foreigners	88.1	90.9	90.9
Net migration	48.9	68.8	142.3
Swiss	-6.6	-9.4	-8.6
Foreigners	55.5	78.2	150.8
Per 1000 inhabitants	5.6	7.8	...
Internal migration
Total of arrivals and departures	526.4	506.9	...

2023: provisional annual figures
…= The figures are not available yet
Source: FSO – STATPOP

Foreign nationals arriving in or leaving Switzerland mainly come from Europe, more precisely from countries of the European Union (EU) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). A comparison of immigration and emigration shows great differences between the different nationality groups.

International migration by population type

Persons arriving in Switzerland with a residence permit that is valid for less than one year (Permit L, F or N) are accounted for in the migration movements of the non-permanent resident population.

International migration by population type, in thousand

		Immigration	Emigration	Net migration
Permanent and non-permanent resident population	2018	245.5	187.9	57.6
	2019	241.4	187.8	53.5
	2020	215.0	167.6	47.4
	2021	231.1	166.3	64.9
	2022	353.9	184.6	169.3
Permanent resident population*	2018	144.9	130.2	14.6
	2019	145.1	126.2	18.9
	2020	138.8	109.4	29.4
	2021	144.9	116.8	28.1
	2022	167.1	122.1	45.0
Non-permanent resident population	2018	100.6	57.6	43.0
	2019	96.2	61.6	34.6
	2020	76.2	58.3	18.0
	2021	86.2	49.5	36.7
	2022	186.8	62.4	124.4

* Excluding changes from the non-permanent to the permanent resident population Source: FSO – STATPOP