Italians remain among the most present foreigners in Switzerland

Around 41% of the permanent resident population in Switzerland aged 15 and over had foreign origins in 2024. This figure equates to around 3 million people, according to a survey by the Federal Statistical Office released this Thursday, the 9th.

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Compared to the previous year, there was a 1,1% increase in the number of people with foreign origins. The study shows that 80% of this group was born outside Switzerland and belongs to the so-called first-generation immigrants. The remaining 20% ​​were born in the country and are classified as second-generation.

Among foreign residents, 37% already have Swiss citizenship. Italian and German nationalities lead among naturalized citizens, with 9% each.

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Motivations for immigration

Among immigrants aged 15 or older who were born abroad, 40% said they moved to Switzerland for family reasons. Another 38% cited professional reasons—two-thirds already had a job lined up before the move.

Reasons linked to the asylum request represented 7% of the responses, while 5% immigrated for educational purposes.