The number of non-Swiss living in Switzerland rose by a net 47,200 in the first half of 2023, most of them from EU/EFTA countries. The government puts this down to the strong demand on the labour market and structurally low unemployment.
Net immigration into the permanent foreign resident population increased by 9,384 people to 47,200, according to the figuresExternal link published on Thursday by the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM). Of these 32,487 were EU/EFTA nationals and 14,713 were third-country nationals.
The immigration trend was already noticeable last year, after an unstable phase during the Covid pandemic. In the first half of 2023, around 45% of the new foreign workers were in short-term employment, while 55% took up long-term employment, according to the SEM.
Of the quota-based residence permits for workers from third countries, 41% of short-term residence permits and 41% of residence permits had been exhausted by the end of June 2023. German, French, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish nationals accounted for half of the immigrant workers.
The economic situation and the internationalisation of the economy and society are driving companies’ demand for labour, the SEM said. Unemployment is at its lowest level in 20 years. In many professions, demographic replacement requirements in the form of retirements could be cushioned by workers recruited in Switzerland and abroad.
The strongest immigration for the purpose of long-term employment was recorded in branches of the industrial sector and within the service sector in the hospitality industry, planning, consulting and IT, trade and healthcare.
More
More
Demographic shifts cause Swiss labour market crunch
This content was published on
Switzerland’s ageing population and changing lifestyles are profoundly transforming the labour market.
At the end of June 2023, a total of 2,275,965 foreign nationals were living permanently in Switzerland.
According to the government, 41,747 new cross-border commuter permits were issued between January and June 2023. In the first half of last year, 38,547 permits were issued.
The number of short stays subject to registration was 168,896, compared with 155,570 in the first half of 2022. Short stays are defined as people who take up a short-term job with a Swiss employer, as well as posted workers and self-employed service providers who stay in Switzerland for a maximum of three months or 90 working days per calendar year.
More
More
Pandemic reveals Switzerland’s weak spot in securing foreign talent
This content was published on
Switzerland is increasingly being challenged as a business location because of immigration restrictions. Could the pandemic be a turning point?
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).
This content was published on
With over 100,000 jobs listed as vacant in the first quarter of 2022, staff shortages are reaching record levels in Switzerland.
This content was published on
Businesses in Switzerland are being forced to cope with an historic shortage of highly skilled workers, according to an annual jobs survey.
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.