Swiss population soars to a record-breaking 9.05 million, largely due to decreased emigration.
Swiss Population Boom Unveiled: Key Insights from the FSO Study
Get the lowdown on the Swiss population trends straight from the Population, Household and Vital Statistics study by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). Here's what we found:
Population Boom
As of December 31, 2024, Switzerland welcomed 9,048,900 permanent residents - a rise of 86,600 from the previous year. The population surge was largely due to the inclusion of individuals with S protection status from Ukraine who joined the permanent resident population one year after their arrival.
Every canton saw an uptick in population, with Schaffhausen, Fribourg, and Valais recording the greatest growth at 1.8%, 1.5%, and 1.5% respectively. Conversely, the smallest changes were noted in Ticino, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, and Jura, with each canton experiencing a 0.3% to 0.4% increase.
Migration Madness
Immigration in 2024 took a nose dive after reaching unprecedented highs in 2023. By the end of the year, only 212,700 individuals called Switzerland home, a 19.1% decrease compared to the preceding year. This figure includes 22,600 Swiss nationals and 190,100 foreigners. Emigration saw a minor uptick of 1.3% compared to 2023, resulting in a foreign nationals permanent population of 2,478,700 or 27.4% of the Swiss population.
Despite the drop in newcomers, the foreign population already residing in the country continues to outpace the growth of the Swiss population, growing at a rate of 2.5% compared to a 0.4% increase for the Swiss population.
Babies and Bye-Byes
2024 saw 78,000 babies born, marking a 2.5% decrease compared to the previous year. This rate of decline is less severe than the drop between 2022 and 2023 (2.8%). In 2024, the average number of children per woman stood at 1.8, slightly higher than the all-time low of 1.33 recorded in 2023.
Switzerland recorded 71,800 deaths in 2024, staying consistent with 2023 figures. The cantons of Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Zug, and Schwyz saw the most significant jump in deaths (up 6.4%, 5.3%, and 5.2% respectively), while Nidwalden, Obwalden, and Schaffhausen experienced the lowest death rate.
With fewer births and a relatively stable death rate, the difference between births and deaths reached a record low of 6,200 people in 2024, the lowest level since 1918.
Battleground Cantons
11 Swiss cantons witnessed more deaths than births in 2024, including Bern, Ticino, the two Basels Graubünden, Solothurn, Jura, Neuchâtel, Schaffhausen, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, and Glarus.
Life Expectancy Luxury
In 2024, Swiss life expectancy for women (86 years) and men (82.5 years) reached new heights, making it the second-highest in the world. Women aged 65 can expect to live at least until 83 years old, while their male counterparts might reach 85.5 years. The life expectancy of both sexes at age 65 increased by 0.2 years each.
Bonus Facts
- The recent population growth in Switzerland can be attributed to migration, economic attractiveness, stable mortality rates, and increasing life expectancy.
- In 2023, net migration reached a record high, with a significant portion originating from EU and EFTA countries.
- Switzerland remains an attractive destination due to its strong economy and open labor market for EU residents.
- Improvements in healthcare and living conditions have contributed to stable death rates and rising life expectancy.
- Regional economic development in areas such as Valais, Schaffhausen, and Aargau has also contributed to population growth within the country.
Read More on this Topic: Why Living in Switzerland Could Mean a Longer Life
In the year 2023, Switzerland recorded a significant increase in net migration, a trend primarily driven by individuals from EU and EFTA countries. Interestingly, this upward trend in migration led to an overall population boom in Switzerland, as revealed by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) study published in 2025. Despite a decrease in immigration in 2024, the foreign population in Switzerland continued to grow at a faster rate compared to Swiss nationals, outpacing the growth of the Swiss population. By the end of 2024, Switzerland had 2,478,700 foreign permanent residents, constituting 27.4% of the total population.
