Immigration to Switzerland
Encyclopedia
There has been significant immigration
to Switzerland
since the 1980s.
By contrast, during the 19th century, emigration from Switzerland was more common, as Switzerland was economically a poor country
where a large fraction of population survived on subsistence farming.
As of 2008, 30.6% of Swiss resident population had an "immigrant background", defined as either immigrants or children born to immigrant parents.
The largest immigrant groups in Switzerland are those from Italy
,
Germany
, Former Yugoslavia (South Slavs
and Albanians), Portuguese and Turkey
(Turks
and Kurds). Between them, these five groups account for about 1.5 million people, 60% of the Swiss population with immigrant background, or close to 20% of total Swiss population.
This number consists of a net number of 79,000 foreigners immigrating to Switzerland, and 4,500 Swiss citizens emigrating from Switzerland.
Net migration for the period 2005 to 2009:
Population growth
in Switzerland is mostly due to immigration: in 2009, there have been 78,286 live births recorded (74% Swiss, 26% foreign nationalities), contrasting with 62,476 deaths (92% Swiss, 8% foreigners).
Thus, of the population growth rate of 1.1% during 2009, about 0.2% are due to births, and 0.9% due to immigration.
As of 2009, a total number of 1,714,000 foreign nationals were registered as residing in Switzerland, accounting for 22.0% of total population. Of these, 1,680,000 had permanent residence (exluding exchange students, seasonal workers and asylum seekers). Of these, 354,000 were born in Switzerland. Another 522,000 had resided in Switzerland for more than 15 years.
Swiss nationality law
permits naturalization after a period of twelve years. 43,440 people were naturalized as Swiss citizens in 2009.
The largest immigrant ethnic groups in Switzerland are:
1%-7% of total population
0.3%-1% of total population
s.
Free movement of population was established with neighbouring countries in the late 19th century, and as a consequence, there was an increase from 211,000 resident foreigners in 1880 (7.5% of total population) to 552,000 in 1910 (14.7% of total population).
There was net emigration of foreign residents during the World Wars era
. The fraction of foreign residents fell to 10.4% by 1920, and to 5.1% by 1941. Immigration has picked up again after 1945.
Beginning in the mid 1950s, immigration increased steeply, and the historical record of close to 15% foreigners prior to World War I was surpassed at some time during the 1960s.
During the later 1960s, the trend was reversed, resulting in a net emigration of foreign citizens by the 1970s, a trend reinforced by the economic recession of 1973-1974.
Counting only the foreign nationals with permanent residence (discounting seasonal workers and exchange students, etc.), there was a net emigration of 66,858 in 1975.
Since 1979, each year has resulted in a net immigration, even though the figure saw considerable fluctuations, rising from 3,400 in 1983 to 59,700 in 1991, and again falling to 1,700 in 1997.
Since 1999, this figure has risen steeply. A main reason for this was the immigration of Albanians due to the Kosovo War
and subsequent family reunion
s, as well as the freedom of movement for workers
treaty with the European Union, active from 2002, resulting especially in immigration from Germany
.
There was a net immigration of 20,900 in 1999, rising to 43,300 in 2001, and staying consistently between 44,000 and 59,000 during 2002–2006.
Another steep rise took place in 2007–2008. There was a net immigration of foreigners taking permanent residence in Switzerland of 83,200 in 2007, and of 103,400 in 2008. Net immigration has again fallen moderately in 2009, to 79,000.
The steep rise of immigrant population during the 2000s has had a noticeable effect on Swiss society.
While there had been right-wing populist opposition to immigration
or Überfremdung
during the 1970s, suggestions for tougher immigration laws, such as the initiative due to James Schwarzenbach
, were mostly turned down by the voting population. This has changed during the 2000s. The anti-immigration Swiss People's Party
rose to be the largest faction in the Federal Assembly in the 2003 elections
.
In 2009, the voting population enacted a minaret ban as a sign of opposition to the swift growth of Islam in Switzerland
, and in 2010, a popular initiative for tougher deportation laws
targeting immigrant criminality
.
Immigration
Immigration is the act of foreigners passing or coming into a country for the purpose of permanent residence...
to Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
since the 1980s.
By contrast, during the 19th century, emigration from Switzerland was more common, as Switzerland was economically a poor country
Poverty in Switzerland
Historically, Switzerland has been a poor country, especially in the Alpine region. From the 17th century, incipient industrialisation brought wealth to the cities, particularly to Zurich, but rural areas remained destitute well into the 19th century, causing the peasant war in 1653, and later...
where a large fraction of population survived on subsistence farming.
As of 2008, 30.6% of Swiss resident population had an "immigrant background", defined as either immigrants or children born to immigrant parents.
The largest immigrant groups in Switzerland are those from Italy
Italian immigration to Switzerland
Italian immigration to Switzerland began on a large scale in the late 19th century, although most of the immigrants that reached the country in that period eventually returned to Italy after the rise of Fascism...
,
Germany
German immigration to Switzerland
About a quarter of a million German nationals had permanent residence in Switzerland in 2009.Ever since the emergence of Switzerland and Germany as distinct nations in the Early Modern period, there has been considerable population movement in both directions, but meaningful population statistics...
, Former Yugoslavia (South Slavs
South Slavs
The South Slavs are the southern branch of the Slavic peoples and speak South Slavic languages. Geographically, the South Slavs are native to the Balkan peninsula, the southern Pannonian Plain and the eastern Alps...
and Albanians), Portuguese and Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
(Turks
Turks in Switzerland
Turks in Switzerland are Swiss citizens of Turkish origin. Over the last two decades, there has been a significant increase in the diversity of culture, language and customs in the Swiss population...
and Kurds). Between them, these five groups account for about 1.5 million people, 60% of the Swiss population with immigrant background, or close to 20% of total Swiss population.
Demographics
In 2009, a total number of 160,600 people immigrated to Switzerland, while a total number of 86,000 people left the country, leaving a net immigration of 74,600 people.This number consists of a net number of 79,000 foreigners immigrating to Switzerland, and 4,500 Swiss citizens emigrating from Switzerland.
Net migration for the period 2005 to 2009:
| 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
| 36,200 | 39,400 | 75,500 | 98,200 | 74,600 |
Population growth
Population growth
Population growth is the change in a population over time, and can be quantified as the change in the number of individuals of any species in a population using "per unit time" for measurement....
in Switzerland is mostly due to immigration: in 2009, there have been 78,286 live births recorded (74% Swiss, 26% foreign nationalities), contrasting with 62,476 deaths (92% Swiss, 8% foreigners).
Thus, of the population growth rate of 1.1% during 2009, about 0.2% are due to births, and 0.9% due to immigration.
As of 2009, a total number of 1,714,000 foreign nationals were registered as residing in Switzerland, accounting for 22.0% of total population. Of these, 1,680,000 had permanent residence (exluding exchange students, seasonal workers and asylum seekers). Of these, 354,000 were born in Switzerland. Another 522,000 had resided in Switzerland for more than 15 years.
Swiss nationality law
Swiss nationality law
Swiss citizenship is the status of being a citizen of Switzerland and it can be obtained by birth, marriage or naturalisation.The Swiss Citizenship Law is based on the following principles:...
permits naturalization after a period of twelve years. 43,440 people were naturalized as Swiss citizens in 2009.
The largest immigrant ethnic groups in Switzerland are:
1%-7% of total population
- ItaliansItalian immigration to SwitzerlandItalian immigration to Switzerland began on a large scale in the late 19th century, although most of the immigrants that reached the country in that period eventually returned to Italy after the rise of Fascism...
, estimated at roughly 500,000 - GermansGerman immigration to SwitzerlandAbout a quarter of a million German nationals had permanent residence in Switzerland in 2009.Ever since the emergence of Switzerland and Germany as distinct nations in the Early Modern period, there has been considerable population movement in both directions, but meaningful population statistics...
and AustriansAustriansAustrians are a nation and ethnic group, consisting of the population of the Republic of Austria and its historical predecessor states who share a common Austrian culture and Austrian descent....
, estimated at roughly 300,000 - Former Yugoslavia: this includes South SlavsSouth SlavsThe South Slavs are the southern branch of the Slavic peoples and speak South Slavic languages. Geographically, the South Slavs are native to the Balkan peninsula, the southern Pannonian Plain and the eastern Alps...
and Kosovo Albanians. Roughly 250,000 Albanians and 250,000 South Slavs (Serbs, Croats, Macedonians) - PortuguesePortuguese peopleThe Portuguese are a nation and ethnic group native to the country of Portugal, in the west of the Iberian peninsula of south-west Europe. Their language is Portuguese, and Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion....
: 200,000 - immigrants from TurkeyTurkeyTurkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
(several ethnic groups, mostly TurksTurks in SwitzerlandTurks in Switzerland are Swiss citizens of Turkish origin. Over the last two decades, there has been a significant increase in the diversity of culture, language and customs in the Swiss population...
and Kurds): ca. 120,000- TurksTurks in SwitzerlandTurks in Switzerland are Swiss citizens of Turkish origin. Over the last two decades, there has been a significant increase in the diversity of culture, language and customs in the Swiss population...
ca. 60,000 - Kurds, ca. 60,000http://assembly.coe.int/Main.asp?link=/Documents/WorkingDocs/Doc06/EDOC11006.htm
- Turks
0.3%-1% of total population
- FrenchFrench peopleThe French are a nation that share a common French culture and speak the French language as a mother tongue. Historically, the French population are descended from peoples of Celtic, Latin and Germanic origin, and are today a mixture of several ethnic groups...
: 90,000 - SpanishSpanish peopleThe Spanish are citizens of the Kingdom of Spain. Within Spain, there are also a number of vigorous nationalisms and regionalisms, reflecting the country's complex history....
: 70,000 - TamilsSri Lankans in SwitzerlandSri Lankans in Switzerland refer to Sri Lankans living in Switzerland. There are about 46,000 to 55,000 Swiss of Sri Lankan origin and Sri Lankan expatriates are living in Switzerland.Most of them are ethnic Tamils.-History:...
, ca. 50,000 - Latin AmericaLatin AmericaLatin America is a region of the Americas where Romance languages – particularly Spanish and Portuguese, and variably French – are primarily spoken. Latin America has an area of approximately 21,069,500 km² , almost 3.9% of the Earth's surface or 14.1% of its land surface area...
(various nationalities), ca. 50,000 (including ca. 20,000 Brazilians) - Arabs (North Africa and Near East), ca. 30,000
- Sub-Saharan Africa (various ethnic groups), ca. 20,000
History
Industrialization and banking made Switzerland prosperous by the late 19th century and began to attract significant numbers of migrant workerMigrant worker
The term migrant worker has different official meanings and connotations in different parts of the world. The United Nations' definition is broad, including any people working outside of their home country...
s.
Free movement of population was established with neighbouring countries in the late 19th century, and as a consequence, there was an increase from 211,000 resident foreigners in 1880 (7.5% of total population) to 552,000 in 1910 (14.7% of total population).
There was net emigration of foreign residents during the World Wars era
Switzerland during the World Wars
During both World War I and World War II, Switzerland managed to keep a stance of armed neutrality, and was not involved militarily. However, precisely because of its neutral status, Switzerland was of considerable interest to all parties involved, as the scene for diplomacy, espionage, commerce,...
. The fraction of foreign residents fell to 10.4% by 1920, and to 5.1% by 1941. Immigration has picked up again after 1945.
Beginning in the mid 1950s, immigration increased steeply, and the historical record of close to 15% foreigners prior to World War I was surpassed at some time during the 1960s.
During the later 1960s, the trend was reversed, resulting in a net emigration of foreign citizens by the 1970s, a trend reinforced by the economic recession of 1973-1974.
Counting only the foreign nationals with permanent residence (discounting seasonal workers and exchange students, etc.), there was a net emigration of 66,858 in 1975.
Since 1979, each year has resulted in a net immigration, even though the figure saw considerable fluctuations, rising from 3,400 in 1983 to 59,700 in 1991, and again falling to 1,700 in 1997.
Since 1999, this figure has risen steeply. A main reason for this was the immigration of Albanians due to the Kosovo War
Kosovo War
The term Kosovo War or Kosovo conflict was two sequential, and at times parallel, armed conflicts in Kosovo province, then part of FR Yugoslav Republic of Serbia; from early 1998 to 1999, there was an armed conflict initiated by the ethnic Albanian "Kosovo Liberation Army" , who sought independence...
and subsequent family reunion
Family reunion
A family reunion is an occasion when many members of an extended family get together. Sometimes reunions are held regularly, for example on the same date of every year....
s, as well as the freedom of movement for workers
Freedom of movement for workers
The freedom of movement for workers is a policy chapter of the acquis communautaire of the European Union. It is part of the free movement of persons and one of the four economic freedoms: free movement of goods, services, labour and capital...
treaty with the European Union, active from 2002, resulting especially in immigration from Germany
German immigration to Switzerland
About a quarter of a million German nationals had permanent residence in Switzerland in 2009.Ever since the emergence of Switzerland and Germany as distinct nations in the Early Modern period, there has been considerable population movement in both directions, but meaningful population statistics...
.
There was a net immigration of 20,900 in 1999, rising to 43,300 in 2001, and staying consistently between 44,000 and 59,000 during 2002–2006.
Another steep rise took place in 2007–2008. There was a net immigration of foreigners taking permanent residence in Switzerland of 83,200 in 2007, and of 103,400 in 2008. Net immigration has again fallen moderately in 2009, to 79,000.
The steep rise of immigrant population during the 2000s has had a noticeable effect on Swiss society.
While there had been right-wing populist opposition to immigration
Opposition to immigration
Opposition to immigration is present in most nation-states with immigration, and has become a significant political issue in many countries. Immigration in the modern sense refers to movement of people from one nation-state to another, where they are not citizens. It is important to distinguish...
or Überfremdung
Überfremdung
Überfremdung , literally "over-foreignization", is a German-language term used in politics to suggest an excess of immigration. The word is compounded from über meaning "over" or "overly" and fremd meaning "foreign".-Political uses:...
during the 1970s, suggestions for tougher immigration laws, such as the initiative due to James Schwarzenbach
James Schwarzenbach
James Schwarzenbach was a far-right Swiss politician, in the 1970s head of the short-lived Republican Party of Switzerland and publicist of fascist, völkisch and antisemitic literature, his Thomas-Verlag....
, were mostly turned down by the voting population. This has changed during the 2000s. The anti-immigration Swiss People's Party
Swiss People's Party
The Swiss People's Party , also known as the Democratic Union of the Centre , is a conservative political party in Switzerland. Chaired by Toni Brunner, but spearheaded by Christoph Blocher, the party is the largest party in the Federal Assembly, with 58 members of the National Council and 6 of...
rose to be the largest faction in the Federal Assembly in the 2003 elections
Swiss federal election, 2003
Legislative elections in the Swiss Confederation were held on 19 October 2003. Although in Switzerland's peculiar political system, in which all four major parties form a coalition, it is very difficult to achieve a change of government, this election produced an upset in the strong showing of the...
.
In 2009, the voting population enacted a minaret ban as a sign of opposition to the swift growth of Islam in Switzerland
Islam in Switzerland
According to the Confederate census of 2001, a total number of 310,807 Muslims were living in Switzerland which made up 4.26% of the total population. In 2009 there were an estimated 400,000 Muslims in Switzerland, accounting to around 5% of the total population....
, and in 2010, a popular initiative for tougher deportation laws
Deportation
Deportation means the expulsion of a person or group of people from a place or country. Today it often refers to the expulsion of foreign nationals whereas the expulsion of nationals is called banishment, exile, or penal transportation...
targeting immigrant criminality
Immigrant criminality
Immigration and crime refers to perceived or actual relationships between crime and immigration.-Worldwide:The Handbook of Crime Correlates , a review of studies of correlates with crime, states that most studies on immigrants have found higher rates of crime...
.
See also
- Immigration to EuropeImmigration to EuropeImmigration to Europe increased from the 1980s onward, as a result of people from developing countries wanting to escape war, oppression, natural disasters or poverty. Some EU countries saw a dramatic growth in immigration after World War II until the 1970s. Most European nations today have...
- Migration within Europe
- Immigration to GermanyImmigration to GermanyOn 1 January 2005, a new immigration law came into effect that altered the legal method of immigration to Germany. The political background to the introduction of the new immigration law being that Germany for the first time ever acknowledged to be an "immigration country." Although the practical...
- Armenians in SwitzerlandArmenians in SwitzerlandSwiss-Armenians are citizens of Switzerland of Armenian ancestry. The exact number of Armenians in the country is unknown, but it is unofficially estimated that about 3,000-5,000 Armenians live in Switzerland....
- Filipinos in SwitzerlandFilipinos in SwitzerlandFilipinos in Switzerland consist of migrants from the Philippines to Switzerland and their descendants. As early as 1975, Switzerland had 188 Philippine citizens living there. By 2005, that number had grown to 3,547. From the 1970s until the 1990s, some Filipinas came to Switzerland as guest...
- Pakistanis in SwitzerlandPakistanis in SwitzerlandPakistanis in Switzerland consist of migrants from Pakistan to Switzerland and their descendants. As of 2004, there were 3,000 Pakistani nationals living in the country. The community is one of the largest among Muslims in Switzerland. Many Pakistani expatriates entered the country as political...