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                                2020 2021 2022
Immigration

163.2

165.6 190.9
   Swiss

25.5

22.1 21.8
   Foreigners

137.7

143.5 169.1
Emigration

109.4

116.8 122.1
   Swiss

25.8

28.7 31.3
   Foreigners

83.6

88.1 90.9
Net migration

53.8

48.9 68.8
   Swiss

-0.3

-6.6 -9.4
   Foreigners

54.1

55.5 78.2
Per 1000 inhabitants

6.2

5.6 7.8
Internal migration    
Total of arrivals and departures

533.8

526.4 506.9
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.

Contact

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

Contact

Remark

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