People with a migration background in Switzerland are generally worse off than citizens without a background in migration, the latest integration data from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) has found. While living conditions have improved, the former, who make up around 40 percent of the Swiss population, were still found to be nearly three times more likely to be struggling financially.

Internationals in Switzerland are worse off financially

According to the report, those with a migration background - defined by the government as those with residence permits, those who have been naturalised and those who are born in Switzerland to parents who were both born abroad - are “worse off in terms of their living conditions and financial situation.” Despite improvement in a number of the 41 indicators analysed, they are still more likely to live in inadequate conditions or poverty.

According to the data, in 2022 10,2 percent of people with a migration background in Switzerland were living in poverty, meaning they had a salary or income of fewer than 2.284 francs a month for a single person, or 4.010 francs per month for a family of four. This compares to just 7,6 percent of citizens without a background in migration.

14,5 percent of those with migration backgrounds reported worrying about making ends meet, more than twice as many as those without (5,4 percent). The former also live in smaller and noisier houses and apartments on average.

Social security rates in Switzerland higher among migrants

Likely as a consequence of the higher poverty rate, non-Swiss people born in the country and those with residence permits are more than twice as likely to claim some form of social security. 8,7 percent of non-Swiss people born in Switzerland claimed benefits in 2022, compared to 5,3 percent of other permit holders, 3,1 percent of naturalised Swiss and 1,7 percent of multi-generational citizens.

The consequence of heightened poverty and reliance on the state has translated into those with a migration background being less “civically active” or engaged in local clubs. They are also less likely to trust the government and the police.

Switzerland remains attractive for expats, says FSO

However, the FSO noted that there is more nuance to the figures than first meets the eye: “Under no circumstances can migration status be considered as the only explanatory factor for the differences found between various population groups. Other variables, such as age, nationality, and education may also explain these differences." 

They added that in fact, among highly skilled workers and those in executive positions, internationals often earn far more than the Swiss.

Another FSO study noted that the country remains a top destination for new arrivals, with 40 percent of migrants moving for professional reasons as salaries in Switzerland are much higher than they are in the rest of Europe. More than 60 percent of arrivals said they wanted to stay in the country permanently. 

The FSO report also noted that the poverty rate among those with a migration background has improved consistently in the last decade. “The annual equivalised disposable income of the population with a migrant background has also increased,” the FSO concluded. 

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