The latest data from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) has revealed the industries in Switzerland which employ the most expats and internationals. Non-Swiss nationals are becoming an increasingly vital part of the economy, making up more than a third of the workforce.

Foreign workers remain vital for Swiss economy

As of the second quarter of 2024, 1,828 million non-Swiss citizens were working in Switzerland. 78,8 percent of whom came from the EU / EFTA or the United Kingdom, while 21,2 percent came from so-called “third countries.” Those with settlement C-permits made up the largest contingent (43,1 percent), followed by residence and short-term residents (B- and L- 30,1 percent) and cross-border workers (21,7 percent).

The foreign working population of Switzerland serves an ever-growing role in the economy. As of the end of 2023, expats make up 33,8 percent of the working population, compared to 23,3 percent in 1999. Certain industries have now become dependent on employing workers from abroad.

Which Swiss industries are home to most expat workers?

According to the data, foreign workers in Switzerland fill the majority of jobs in the construction and catering industries. 80 percent of building insulators in Switzerland are not Swiss, along with 75 percent of plasterers, 69 percent of kitchen assistants, 59 percent of general builders, 58 percent of floor and tile fitters and half of all bar staff.

The FSO added that several well-known Swiss industries also venture abroad to find labour. 46 percent of Swiss watchmakers and 46 percent of financial analysts at banks and insurance providers are expats.

Expats salaries 1.000 francs a month lower than Swiss citizens

By contrast, the police were found to employ the fewest expats at 1 percent of the workforce. This is not surprising given that only five Swiss cantons (Basel-Stadt, Geneva, Jura, Neuchâtel and Schwyz) allow C-permit holders to join. Expats were also not regularly employed as farmers (2 percent), lawyers (6 percent), senior administrators (8 percent) and journalists (10 percent).

The Tages-Anzeiger noted that expats also tend to fill jobs that have lower salaries. As of 2022, the median salary for a non-Swiss worker stood at 6.089 francs a month, compared to 7.164 francs for citizens.

Do expat workers steal jobs from the Swiss?

Be it the No 10 Million Switzerland! referendum from the Swiss People’s Party or calls for a special tax on new migrants, immigration remains a hot-button issue. According to a September survey by the Larix Foundation, while 61 percent of Swiss citizens reject a ban on migration, 65 percent reported being in favour of strict controls on the number of new residence permits being issued - though 80 percent overestimated how fast the population was actually growing.

One of the main complaints raised was the impact of expats on the workforce, including accusations that they have replaced Swiss workers. However, according to a study from the Insitute for Swiss Economic Policy (IWP), non-Swiss workers have supplemented local employees rather than replaced them.

Speaking to the Tages-Anzeiger, IWP spokesperson Marco Portmann said that "in recent years, the increased competition in the labour market as a result of immigration has led to Swiss people becoming increasingly more highly qualified." This has led to a shortage of low-skilled workers which is being filled by those from abroad.

In response to the idea that expats are stealing Swiss jobs, the FSO data suggests that the unemployment rate among Swiss citizens fell to a 20-year low in 2023, despite the fastest population growth seen since the 1960s.

"New immigrants must first learn how to use the local language, the country's specific customs and the local labour market before they can advance professionally…No sensible person would want to see Switzerland shrink and miss out on the immigrants who are already settled and well integrated," Portmann concluded.

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