Far fewer people moved to Switzerland in 2024 compared to the year before and more people moved away, new data from the Federal Council has revealed. As of the end of 2024, 2,367 million non-Swiss people call the alpine nation home.

Net migration to Switzerland slumped in 2024

Last year, 170.607 people received a residence permit for Switzerland, a 10.946-person or 6 percent drop in immigration compared to 2024. Nationals from EU / EFTA countries made up 70,7 percent of new arrivals (120.546 people), a 7,6 percent decrease compared to 2023. There was also a 2,4 percent decrease in immigration from so-called “third countries”, with new arrivals totalling 50.061 people.

While the number of immigrants fell, 2024 also saw a 4,8 percent increase in people leaving Switzerland. 60.597 EU / EFTA nationals and 18.309 “third country” nationals left last year. As a result, net migration has dropped by 15,6 percent, down to +83.392 people.

In explaining the drop, the Swiss government argued that “after two years of strong economic growth, the labour market has calmed down as expected since spring 2024.” However, while the number of people moving to Switzerland has fallen, “There is still a severe shortage of skilled workers in most sectors of the economy.” A 2024 report from the Swiss Employers’ Association predicts that the country will be short of 460.000 workers by 2035 if immigration does not increase.

Working in Switzerland the main draw for new arrivals

The vast majority of new arrivals came to work, with 85.189 or 71 percent of EU / EFTA nationals coming to fill jobs in Switzerland. 69 percent (2.779) of the allocated L- short-residence and 79 percent (3.543) of B- residence permits were used by third-country nationals. Family reunification was the second most common reason to move to the alpine nation at 24,9 percent.

However, the reasons for moving varied by nationality. Most EU / EFTA citizens came to work, while most third-country nationals came for reasons of family reunification, though this has declined in recent years.

In all, 1.578.629 EU and EFTA nationals called Switzerland home at the end of 2024, alongside 789.735 third-country citizens. This means the non-Swiss population makes up a quarter of all residents. At the same time, a total of 40.077 reached the end of naturalisation and were granted Swiss citizenship. 

Thumb image credit: Bernsten / Shutterstock.com