Swiss migrants increasingly attracted to Asia

Keystone

Even if the European Union is home to more than two-thirds of the Swiss abroad, Asia is attracting more migrants with its booming economy and climate.

For Rudolf Wyder, head of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA), this is reason enough for Switzerland to make its presence officially felt in this part of the world.

The number of Swiss living abroad continues to increase. Last year, another 10,800 people were added to the tally, a growth rate of between 1.5 and two per cent – a trend that has been going on for some time, according to Wyder.

Over the past few years, around 30,000 Swiss have moved abroad, while 25,000 others have returned.

This accounts for a migratory flow of just 5,000 from Switzerland. The shortfall is made up by spouses who have been granted Swiss citizenship and births to Swiss families.

But for those headed abroad, the latest figures from the Swiss foreign ministry show that Asia is proving to be a favoured destination of migrants.

The Swiss community grew 12.8 per cent in China (2,794 people) last year, ten per cent in Thailand and 21 per cent in Singapore (1,703). “These communities are relatively small but are growing quickly,” said Wyder.

These nations’ strong economies have done much to attract the Swiss. But there are others who have headed to Asia and countries such as Thailand and the Philippines in search of a warmer climate and a cheaper lifestyle for their retirement.

Signals

Wyder sees the strong growth in China and Singapore – and perhaps India soon – as a political and economic signal as well as a trend that will probably continue to expand.

“Switzerland needs to be present and to reinforce its institutions there,” he said. “Perhaps we need more diplomatic and consular staff in Asia.”

He sees this strong migration as a signal to the Swiss back home that they need to pay more attention to international relations.

“We [the Swiss] aren’t aware enough how dependent we are on our global relationships. We have to invest to keep our political and economic standing,” he added.

Migratory flows to and from the European Union remained stable last year. Africa and the United States have on the other hand lost their attraction for migrants.

For Wyder, this might have to do with the fact that it has become more difficult to move to the US on a permanent basis, whereas migrating to Asia is less complicated.

In 2006, as over the past two decades, Asia is gaining favour with the Swiss abroad over more traditional destinations.

“Emigration has changed,” said the head of the OSA. “Before, you might have left to get away from your family. Today, it is much easier to travel abroad, making the decision to move much simpler.”

If there are no statistics that explain why people chose to migrate, Wyder reckons that job opportunities or sentimental reasons play a major role.

Flexible

Generally speaking, the Swiss abroad are a younger community, with a majority of women (58.2 per cent).

Being open and flexible are two requirements for people planning to head abroad permanently. The Swiss seem to fulfil these requirements: they usually settle in easily and their skills are appreciated.

With Switzerland struggling to integrate foreigners, Wyder believes that the experience of Swiss migrants could be useful in the current political environment.

They certainly have some political clout. Last year, 111,000 Swiss abroad were registered to vote, 6,000 more than a year before.

swissinfo, Pierre-François Besson

Swiss abroad

At the end of 2006, 645,010 Swiss lived abroad, an increase of 10,794 over the previous year.

Since 2000, the number of Swiss abroad has increased 11.1 per cent.

460,065 of these people are also citizens of another country.

The European Union is home to 390,182 Swiss (60.5% of the total).

The biggest Swiss communities in the EU are to be found in France (171,732), Germany (72,384), Italy (47,012) and Britain (27,326).

Outside Europe, the most Swiss can be found in the United States (71,984), Canada (36,374), Australia (21,291), Argentina (15,061), Brazil (13,956), Israel (12,011) and South Africa (8,821).