Swiss Immigration Numbers Show 15.6% Decline in 2024

Switzerland experienced a significant slowdown in immigration during 2024, with net immigration figures showing a marked 15.6% decrease compared to the previous year. According to the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), the net influx of foreign nationals settled at 83,400 people, reflecting a notable decline in the country's traditionally strong immigration trends. By the end of 2024, Switzerland's foreign resident population reached 2.36 million, representing approximately 26% of the country's total population of nearly 9 million inhabitants.

The immigration pattern in 2024 maintained its strong European character, with 71% of newcomers originating from EU and EFTA nations. Germany led the immigration statistics with 14% of the total influx, followed by France and Italy, each accounting for 11%. Portugal (7%), Spain (5%), Romania (4%), and Poland (4%) rounded out the major source countries. Together, these seven nations constituted 56% of all immigration to Switzerland in 2024, highlighting the continued strong ties between Switzerland and its European neighbors.

Of the 170,600 foreign nationals who chose Switzerland as their new home in 2024, the majority (52%) were drawn by employment opportunities, underscoring Switzerland's robust job market and economic appeal. Family reunification accounted for 25% of immigration, while academic pursuits brought 10% of newcomers to the country. Asylum seekers represented 7% of the total, and the remaining 6% arrived for various other reasons or without specified employment.

The year 2024 saw 40,291 foreign residents acquire Swiss citizenship, marking a slight decrease of 2.4% compared to 2023. EU/EFTA nationals dominated the naturalization statistics, accounting for 60% of all new Swiss citizens. The breakdown showed a significant German presence (20%), followed by Italian (11%) and French (10%) nationals. Notable non-EU naturalizations included citizens from Kosovo (6%), Turkey (3%), the UK (3%), and North Macedonia (3%), reflecting Switzerland's diverse integration patterns.