OECD Praises Swiss Integration of Immigrants, But Highlights Gender Gaps

A recent study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has lauded Switzerland for its effective integration of immigrants, highlighting an impressive employment rate that surpasses the OECD average. However, the report also casts a spotlight on a significant challenge: the persistent gender gap in the labor market for immigrant women. This comprehensive analysis, commissioned by the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), arrives as new data on deportation orders from 2024 is released, providing a broader context to the country's migration landscape.

According to the OECD findings, Switzerland stands out for its successful integration policies. The employment rate among immigrants is a robust 77%, a figure well above the average for other OECD member countries. The report notes that, by international standards, immigrants in Switzerland are well-educated and demonstrate a strong commitment to integrating by actively learning one of the national languages. A significant portion of this immigrant population, three-quarters in fact, has entered the country under the European Union's free movement of persons agreement, which has been a cornerstone of Swiss immigration policy.

Despite the overall positive assessment, the OECD report urgently calls for attention to the disparities faced by immigrant women in the workforce. The study explicitly states that action is needed to address the fact that women find it significantly harder than their male counterparts to secure a foothold in the Swiss labor market. This finding points to a crucial area for policy improvement, suggesting that targeted measures are necessary to ensure that the benefits of integration are shared equally among all immigrants, regardless of gender.

Coinciding with the OECD's report, the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) released its latest figures on deportations. In 2024, Swiss courts ordered 2,446 expulsions. By mid-2025, the enforcement rate for these orders reached 69%, an increase from 63% earlier in the year. This rate is expected to climb further as more executions are planned. For comparison, the enforcement rate for 2023's expulsions stood at 73% by mid-2024. The data reveals that 80% of these deportations were carried out under duress. The majority affected were men aged 25-34, with Albanian, Romanian, and Algerian nationals being the most frequently expelled.

The OECD's report paints a picture of a nation that has successfully managed the economic integration of its immigrant population, creating a high-employment environment. Switzerland's approach serves as a positive model in many respects. However, the commendation is paired with a clear and firm recommendation: more must be done to support immigrant women in the labor market. As Switzerland continues to navigate its complex migration landscape, addressing this gender disparity will be the critical next step in building a truly equitable and inclusive society for all.