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.
First large-scale alpine solar plant approved in Switzerland
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The approval was met with satisfaction by the project's organisers, but it also brings with it a certain amount of pressure.
Medieval squirrels may have ‘helped spread leprosy’
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An examination of squirrel remains in the United Kingdom has opened up interesting questions and possibilities in terms of the history of the disease.
Swiss money laundering office registers record number of reports
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The Money Laundering Reporting Office Switzerland (MROS) registered a record number of reports of suspicious activity last year.
Two teens accused of planning terror attack released from custody
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The Schaffhausen judiciary has released the two teenagers from custody who allegedly planned bomb attacks in Switzerland.
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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.