Swiss to vote on curbing population

Dubbed “Swiss Brexit”, Switzerland is to hold a June 14 referendum
on capping its permanent resident population at 10 million people,
ending a freedom of movement accord with the European Union

RECENT POLLING SUGGESTS VOTE COULD BE CLOSE

Against
cap

In favour
of cap

Other
response

Poll of
19,400
people,
May
19-27

52 
45

Poll of
19,728
people,
Apr 20-
May 3

47
47

Those in
favour argue
increasing population
is impacting infrastructure

SWISS PERMANENT RESIDENT POPULATION (Dec 2024)

6,569,000 (73%)
2,479,900 (27%)
9,048,900

Swiss nationals 
Foreign nationals

ORIGIN OF FOREIGNERS (%, latest data, Dec 2024)

13.8
13.3
10.4
6.9
38.0
8.5

Italy
Germany
Portugal
France
Rest of Europe
Asia
5.2 Africa
3.7 Americas
0.2 Oceania

Note: As of Dec 2025, Swiss permanent resident population stands at 9,137,900 people
Sources: Reuters, Swiss Federal Statistical Office
Picture: Alin Andersen (Unsplash)
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