Immigration to Switzerland slows for 2 years in a row 10% down

Daily Life, Swiss News and General Topics
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Net immigration of foreign nationals fell for the second time in a row. For 2025, it was 75,000 people, 10% lower than in 2024.

While immigration is a hot button political issue in many countries. Slowing immigration may also be a warning sign that the strong Franc and other trade pressures are weighing on the economy.

At work, I’m certainly feeling the pressure to cut costs and jobs have been off-shored to cheaper countries for a while now. It seems almost unusual to hire in Switzerland now if you can hire somebody in an EU location.

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Some 83,000 foreign nationals resident in Switzerland left Switzerland in 2025
At the same time, around 165,000 foreign nationals arrived in Switzerland, around 3% fewer than in 2024
For 2025, it was 75,000 (net) people, 10% lower than in 2024.

Still net positive, but concerning indeed.

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I don’t quite get the AI generated statements? Either it is 3% or 10%. Also how does 75K less add up to only 10% when the total was 165K in 2025? Don’t get the math!

At the same time, around 165,000 foreign nationals arrived in Switzerland, around 3% fewer than in 2024, according to the SEM, meaning that net immigration of foreign nationals fell for the second time in a row. For 2025, it was 75,000 people, 10% lower than in 2024.

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I understand it is 3% on arrivals (165000) and 10% in net inmigration (75000)

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so more layoffs then new job openings (probably with 1-2 years inertia because of RAV)

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I know quite a few people who have left in the last few years after being made redundant and struggling to find a new job (esp. when there were mass layoff which made it even more competitive).

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Last year was full of incertitude. If it’s related to exports, I guess there are no job offers. USD losing 16% to the CHF over 1 year is a big issue. There may be plenty of sales orders, but little to no profit.

If 2026 continues like 2025, people that work in services within Switzerland will see an effect too.

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