Net migration (UNICEF) in Switzerland
Switzerland: Net migration was 37,253 in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
37,253
Change on year
down 7.1%
World rank
15th
of 74 countries
All-time high
101,278
in 1961
All-time low
-58,187
in 1975
Years of data
66
1960–2025
Net migration in Switzerland, 1960–2025
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
Switzerland recorded 37,253 for net migration in 2025.
That represents a change of down 7.1% on the previous year and down 48.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, net migration in Switzerland peaked at 101,278 in 1961 and was at its lowest, -58,187, in 1975.
That places Switzerland 15th out of 74 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Net migration in Switzerland, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 22,313 | — |
| 1961 | 101,278 | +353.9% |
| 1962 | 82,798 | -18.2% |
| 1963 | 58,415 | -29.4% |
| 1964 | 21,455 | -63.3% |
| 1965 | -1,351 | -106.3% |
| 1966 | 14,979 | -1208.7% |
| 1967 | 27,697 | +84.9% |
| 1968 | 25,828 | -6.7% |
| 1969 | 20,754 | -19.6% |
| 1970 | -18,326 | -188.3% |
| 1971 | 2,636 | -114.4% |
| 1972 | 19,991 | +658.4% |
| 1973 | 8,158 | -59.2% |
| 1974 | 2,008 | -75.4% |
| 1975 | -58,187 | -2997.8% |
| 1976 | -54,255 | -6.8% |
| 1977 | -22,516 | -58.5% |
| 1978 | -6,552 | -70.9% |
| 1979 | 4,262 | -165.0% |
| 1980 | 17,841 | +318.6% |
| 1981 | 24,229 | +35.8% |
| 1982 | 21,929 | -9.5% |
| 1983 | 5,663 | -74.2% |
| 1984 | 12,532 | +121.3% |
| 1985 | 14,402 | +14.9% |
| 1986 | 23,242 | +61.4% |
| 1987 | 27,081 | +16.5% |
| 1988 | 34,602 | +27.8% |
| 1989 | 34,432 | -0.5% |
| 1990 | 58,428 | +69.7% |
| 1991 | 69,738 | +19.4% |
| 1992 | 42,014 | -39.8% |
| 1993 | 40,267 | -4.2% |
| 1994 | 30,274 | -24.8% |
| 1995 | 25,343 | -16.3% |
| 1996 | -131 | -100.5% |
| 1997 | -1,939 | +1380.2% |
| 1998 | 11,325 | -684.1% |
| 1999 | 25,599 | +126.0% |
| 2000 | 24,463 | -4.4% |
| 2001 | 35,420 | +44.8% |
| 2002 | 49,650 | +40.2% |
| 2003 | 42,567 | -14.3% |
| 2004 | 39,484 | -7.2% |
| 2005 | 33,203 | -15.9% |
| 2006 | 37,308 | +12.4% |
| 2007 | 72,475 | +94.3% |
| 2008 | 94,430 | +30.3% |
| 2009 | 69,324 | -26.6% |
| 2010 | 76,388 | +10.2% |
| 2011 | 67,194 | -12.0% |
| 2012 | 67,840 | +1.0% |
| 2013 | 83,823 | +23.6% |
| 2014 | 78,122 | -6.8% |
| 2015 | 71,876 | -8.0% |
| 2016 | 71,009 | -1.2% |
| 2017 | 45,658 | -35.7% |
| 2018 | 41,253 | -9.6% |
| 2019 | 44,517 | +7.9% |
| 2020 | 55,523 | +24.7% |
| 2021 | 50,665 | -8.7% |
| 2022 | 96,424 | +90.3% |
| 2023 | 45,098 | -53.2% |
| 2024 | 40,099 | -11.1% |
| 2025 | 37,253 | -7.1% |
Switzerland compared with similar countries
- Switzerland's 37,253 is above the median for high income countries, which is 9,502, 3.9× the median. (42 countries reporting)
- Switzerland's 37,253 is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 158, 235.8× the median. (52 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Net migration in Switzerland changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | -2997.8% | 2,008 | -58,187 |
| 1997 | -1380.2% | -131 | -1,939 |
| 1966 | +1208.7% | -1,351 | 14,979 |
| 1998 | +684.1% | -1,939 | 11,325 |
| 1972 | +658.4% | 2,636 | 19,991 |
| 1961 | +353.9% | 22,313 | 101,278 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 37,417 | -1,351 | 101,278 | 10 |
| 1970s | -12,278 | -58,187 | 19,991 | 10 |
| 1980s | 21,595 | 5,663 | 34,602 | 10 |
| 1990s | 30,092 | -1,939 | 69,738 | 10 |
| 2000s | 49,832 | 24,463 | 94,430 | 10 |
| 2010s | 64,768 | 41,253 | 83,823 | 10 |
| 2020s | 54,177 | 37,253 | 96,424 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Switzerland
More population data for Switzerland
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 9,754 Persons (2050)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.2093 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.0652 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -0.0595 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.0652 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.0% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 392,499 people (2100)
- Population density 230.99 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.0% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.1371 % change on previous year (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is net migration in Switzerland?
- Net migration in Switzerland was 37,253 in 2025, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest net migration recorded in Switzerland?
- The highest recorded value was 101,278 in 1961.
- What is the lowest net migration recorded in Switzerland?
- The lowest recorded value was -58,187 in 1975.
- How does Switzerland rank for net migration?
- Switzerland ranks 15th out of 74 countries with data for 2025.
- Is net migration rising or falling in Switzerland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 48.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Switzerland data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of Net migration. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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