All cantons saw small increases, except for Neuchâtel and Ticino. Canton Schwyz had the highest population growth (+1.2%). The small national increase follows a decade of annual population growth above 1%.
Last year, a total of 171,700 foreigners moved to Switzerland, while the number of people emigrating also rose to 126,200, made up of 31,800 Swiss nationals and 94,400 foreign nationals.
Net migration (+45,500 people) – the difference between people entering and leaving the country – continues to decline slightly (-1%). Natural population growth – the difference between births and deaths – also fell by 8.9% to +18,600 individuals.
The Swiss population comprises 6,395,300 Swiss nationals (74.9%) and 2,147,000 foreign nationals (25.1%). Canton Geneva had the highest proportion of foreign residents (40%) while canton Appenzell Inner Rhodes had the lowest share of foreigners (11%).
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Geneva: Switzerland’s most cosmopolitan canton
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New statistics underline Geneva’s status as the most international canton: almost two-thirds of residents have a foreign passport.
Train vs plane: would you take a direct train between London and Geneva?
Eurostar is planning to run direct trains from Britain to Germany and Switzerland from the early 2030s. Would you favour the train over the plane? If not, why not?
Rhine could warm by up to 4°C by 2100, scientists warn
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The water temperature of the Rhine River could rise by up to 4.2° degrees Celsius by the end of the century due to the warming planet, scientists warn.
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The Federal Council wants to explore the possibilities of joining the European Union’s €800-billion rearmament programme without compromising Swiss neutrality.
Defence Minister Pfister stresses importance of Swiss mission in Balkans
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During a visit to the Balkans region last week, Swiss Defence Minister Martin Pfister met Swisscoy peacekeeping troops in Kosovo.
Premiere for Swiss Air Force on French National Day
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On July 14, the Swiss Air Force will take part in the traditional air parade in Paris to mark the French bank holidays with an F/A-18 fighter jet. This is a first for Switzerland.
Swiss launch competition for memorial to Nazi victims
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The victims of Nazi Germany are to be commemorated on the Casinoterrasse in Bern. A competition will be held to determine what the site will look like.
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The cantonal police of Graubünden in eastern Switzerland have arrested and convicted five cocaine dealers in Chur within a week.
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The Swiss business umbrella organisation Economiesuisse and the employers' association broadly support the package of agreements negotiated with the European Union.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
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Geneva: Switzerland’s most cosmopolitan canton
This content was published on
New statistics underline Geneva’s status as the most international canton: almost two-thirds of residents have a foreign passport.
Defining the 25% foreign population in Switzerland
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For the first time, Switzerland has 2 million foreigners living in its midst. But just who exactly are they? These graphics offer an explanation.
Is Switzerland crowded compared to other countries?
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How densely populated is Switzerland compared to its neighbours? The growth has led to many calls over the years to limit immigration.
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.