A total of 63,333 people settled in Switzerland between January and June, the State Secretariat for MigrationExternal link (SEM) announced on Tuesday. This is 1.8% less than in the same period last year. While 44,321 people immigrated from EU/EFTA countries, a decrease of 1.3%, immigration from third countries fell by 2.8% to 19,012.
At the same time, 35,832 foreigners left Switzerland, 3.9% fewer than in the same period last year. Factoring in deaths and naturalisations, net migration into the resident foreign population amounted to 24,672 people in the first half of the year, down 0.8%.
More than half of the immigrants (33,245 or 52.5%) came to Switzerland to work. Compared with the previous year, there was an increase in the economic sectors of industry, crafts and services. On the other hand, immigration decreased for jobs in agriculture.
Fewer family reunifications
For 17,701 people (28%), family reunification was the reason for settling in Switzerland. This is 8.6% less than in the same period last year. More than one in five of them was a family member of a Swiss citizen.
From EU/EFTA countries, 8,499 people – mainly from Italy, Germany, France and Portugal – moved to Switzerland for family reunification. There were 9,202 people from third countries, with Kosovo at the top of the list, ahead of North Macedonia, Brazil and India.
In the first half of the year, 4,676 foreigners moved to Switzerland for training or further education. In addition, 2,383 people received a residence permit without gainful employment and 3,064 people from the asylum sector changed their residence status.
According to the SEM, a total of around 2.1 million foreigners were living in Switzerland at the end of June. Of these, 323,384 came from Italy, 308,532 from Germany, 265,501 from Portugal and 137,514 from France. Switzerland has a total population of 8.4 million.
More
More
Demographics
Switzerland, land of European immigration
This content was published on
On International Migrants’ Day, we look back at 166 years of immigration to Switzerland.
This content was published on
Production in Switzerland's secondary sector fell in the second quarter of 2025. The decline was more pronounced in the construction sector than for industry.
Swiss army recruits remain in hospital after gruelling test exercise
This content was published on
Four potential recruits for the elite Swiss grenadier unit were hospitalised last week after taking part in a gruelling exercise in hot weather. Three remain in hospital with one placed temporarily in an artificial coma.
University of Basel to mark 125th anniversary of Nietzsche’s death
This content was published on
This month the University of Basel is celebrating the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, who was a professor there from 1869 to 1879. August 25th marks the 125th anniversary of his death.
Trump tariffs: Swiss brands struggle to adapt to 39% tariff
This content was published on
Swiss brands like Victorinox, the manufacturer of the iconic pocket knife, are struggling to adapt to the 39% tariff imposed by the United States on imports of Swiss goods.
Fish and aquatic plants are under ‘severe pressure’ in Swiss rivers and lakes
This content was published on
Fish, aquatic plants and other animals in Swiss rivers, lakes and streams remain under 'severe pressure', according to the Federal Office for the Environment.
Swatch withdraws ‘slanted eyes’ ad after China uproar
This content was published on
The Swiss watch manufacturer Swatch has apologised and withdrawn an advertising campaign worldwide following accusations of racism in China. The ad features a model pulling the corners of his eyes.
Police identify bodies of three climbers who died in Swiss Alps
This content was published on
Police have formally identified the bodies of three climbers who died in the Upper Valais region in early August: they are from Germany, France and Austria.
Bern exhibition reunites Kirchner paintings after 92 years
This content was published on
The painting Sonntag der Bergbauern (Alpsonntag) [Sunday of the Mountain Farmers (Alp Sunday) by Ernst Ludwig Kirchner (1880-1938) is being transferred from Berlin to Bern to feature in an upcoming exhibition at Kunstmuseum Bern.
Voters approve extension of Engadine Airport in Switzerland
This content was published on
Residents in the Upper Engadine region gave the greenlight on Sunday to the expansion of the regional airport at Samedan, one of Europe’s highest airports (1,707 metres) that serves the nearby resorts of St Moritz and Davos.
Private equity group Advent to buy U-Blox for $1.3 billion
This content was published on
Private equity group Advent International has agreed to take over Switzerland's U-Blox Holding in a cash offer worth CHF1.05 billion ($1.30 billion).
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.
Read more
More
EU immigration not bad for Swiss jobs, says economics ministry
This content was published on
Immigration from the EU remained stable last year and had a minimal impact on Swiss salaries, the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs reports.
This content was published on
What opportunities do migrant women have and what barriers do they face? A report by the Federal Commission on Migration looks at these issues.
Justice minister says limiting free movement would be ‘Swiss Brexit’
This content was published on
Combating the anti-immigration initiative from the right-wing Swiss People’s Party is currently one of her priorities, Keller-Sutter told the media on Friday. The bilateral path taken by non-EU Switzerland means prosperity and jobs, she said. “860,000 jobs in Switzerland depend on it.” An acceptance of the initiative would be “the Swiss Brexit”, Keller-Sutter said, referring…
Third-generation immigrants in no rush to take up Swiss citizenship
This content was published on
Around 1,000 young people have applied for Swiss citizenship since the law changed one year ago to ease rules for third-generation immigrants.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
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.