What are the main reasons for immigration to Switzerland? Migration can be the result of many political, economic, social, cultural and climate-related factors that are often closely intertwined. Depending on the reason, immigration will affect the host society in different ways. The same is true for the plans that migrants might have for the future. How long do they plan to stay in Switzerland? Do they wish to return to their country of origin or do they plan to emigrate to another country? What are the main reasons migrants have for wanting to leave Switzerland?
Reasons for the last immigration
In 2022, 41% of the permanent resident population aged 15 or over and born abroad said that they migrated to Switzerland for family reasons. 37% said that they came for professional reasons. The next two most frequently cited reasons were asylum (6%) and studies (4%).
Sex
Nationality
Level of education
Men were most likely to say that their latest immigration was for professional reasons (46%). The second most commonly cited reason was family (31%). Asylum came third (8%), followed by studies (5%).
Women were more likely than men to say that they immigrated for family reasons (56%) and less likely to say they immigrated for professional reasons (29%). The proportion of women who migrated to Switzerland for asylum or studies is similar to that of men (about 5%).
Citizens from EU-27 and EFTA countries mainly come to Switzerland for professional reasons (56%), whereas citizens of other countries tend to come for family reasons (59% for citizens of other European countries and about 50% for citizens of other countries in the world and for Swiss citizens). Asylum is more frequently mentioned by citizens of other countries in the world (23%) than by those of the other nationality groups (9% or less).
People with a tertiary education more frequently mention professional reasons (42%) and studies (9%) than those with other levels of education.
Migration for family reasons is the reason most frequently given by people with an upper secondary education (47%). However, migrants with this level of education are less likely than those with other levels of education to say that they came for professional reasons (31%, compared with 38% for those who completed compulsory education and 42% for those with a tertiary education).
Migrants who completed compulsory education as their highest level of education were the group that most frequently mentioned asylum (10%).
Plans for the length of the stay
In 2021, 63% of the permanent resident population aged 15 to 74 who were born abroad and immigrated to Switzerland said that they wanted to stay in Switzerland permanently. 9% planned to stay for at least five years, and only 2% intended to leave in less than five years. 25% were still undecided.
Nationality
While most migrants intend to stay in Switzerland permanently, Swiss citizens (78%) and citizens of European countries outside the EU-27 and EFTA (76%) were more likely to say that they wanted to stay permanently than citizens of other countries in the world (57%) and citizens of the EU-27 and EFTA countries (52%).
Return to country of origin or onward migration
In 2021, 59% of people aged 15 to 74 who were born abroad and intended to leave Switzerland would like to return to their country of origin. 20% planned to emigrate to another country. The remaining 20% were still undecided.
Level of education
While most migrants who intend to leave Switzerland want to return to their country of origin, those with a tertiary education are less likely to want to return home than those who did not go further than compulsory education (51% compared with 75%).
Reasons for leaving Switzerland
Among the population born abroad and wanting to leave Switzerland, retirement and family reasons are the most commonly cited reasons for wanting to leave, followed by professional reasons and homesickness.
% |
CI |
|
|---|---|---|
| 1. Retirement | 23.3 |
3.2 |
| 2. Family reasons | 20.5 |
3.4 |
| 3. Professional reasons | 18.0 |
2.7 |
| 4. Homesickness | 7.1 |
1.8 |
| 5. Studies | (2.3) |
1.1 |
| 6. To see friends again | (2.1) |
1.1 |
| 7. To buy a house/property | (0.4) |
0.5 |
| 8. Other reasons | 21.5 |
3.3 |
Further information
Tables
Methodologies
Reasons for last immigration: Proportion of the permanent resident population aged 15 or over (from 2021) or aged between 15 and 74 (in 2014 and 2017) born abroad who immigrated to Switzerland, by main reason for their latest migration:
- Professional reasons;
- Family reasons;
- Asylum;
- Studies;
- Other reasons.
Length of stay in Switzerland: Proportion of the permanent resident population aged between 15 and 74 born abroad who immigrated to Switzerland, by the length of their planned stay in Switzerland:
- Undecided (from 2021) or no plans (in 2014 and 2017);
- Less than 5 years;
- 5 years or more;
- For good.
Return to country of origin or onward migration: Proportion of the permanent resident population aged between 15 and 74 born abroad who migrated to Switzerland and intend to leave Switzerland, by next intended country of migration:
- Country of origin;
- Other country;
- Undecided (from 2021).
Reasons for leaving Switzerland: Proportion of the permanent resident population aged between 15 and 74 born abroad who immigrated to Switzerland and intend to leave Switzerland, by reason for wanting to leave:
- Family reasons;
- Professional reasons;
- Retirement;
- Homesickness;
- Studies;
- To see friends again;
- To buy a house/property;
- Other reasons.
Publications
Contact
Federal Statistical Office Section Demography and MigrationEspace de l'Europe 10
CH-2010 Neuchâtel
Switzerland