Fastest growing towns and cities in Switzerland revealed

Following the news that Switzerland saw near-record-equalling population growth in 2023, a new study from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) has found which communities in the alpine nation have expanded the most in the last 10 years. The government found that the last decade has seen the size of some villages near-double, while others have seen their populations wane dramatically.

800.000 people come to Switzerland since 2013

Earlier in the year, the government confirmed that the population of Switzerland grew by 1,6 percent in 2023, rates unseen since the early 1960s. In the last decade, a net 800.000 people have either returned to the alpine nation or claimed a residence permit for the first time, meaning the overall population has increased by 10 percent in a decade.

During those years, 2.136 local councils in Switzerland have seen their resident populations increase. At the same time, 309 municipalities have registered a fall in residents, while six towns have reported no change at all.

Zurich town nearly doubles in a decade

In terms of the most dramatic increase, the town of Weiach, Canton Zurich has seen its population rise the fastest. From 1.077 residents in 2013 to 2.123 today, the population has increased by 97 percent in the last decade. Weiach was followed by the towns of Hüniken (Solothurn, 86 percent) and Henniez (Vaud, 69 percent).

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the largest cities in Switzerland have seen the largest absolute increases. The population of Zurich has risen the most, increasing by 13 percent or 49.104 people between 2013 and 2023. The Swiss metropolis was followed by Geneva (15.012), Winterthur (13.633) and Lausanne (13.633) - these are the only parts of Switzerland that have seen population growth in the quintuple digits.

309 Swiss towns' populations shrink

By contrast, many towns have seen their populations fall significantly between 2013 and 2023. As a proportion of the population, the town of Cerentino, Canton Ticino has seen its population fall the most at 37,7 percent. However, the town is very small, now consisting of just 38 inhabitants.

In absolute numbers, cities in the northern valley of Canton Neuchâtel have seen their populations fall the most. The hubs of Swiss watchmaking and UNESCO World Heritage sites of La Chaux-de-Fonds and Le Locle have seen their populations fall the most, by 1.469 and 630 people respectively.

Which Swiss towns are growing the fastest?

In all, here are the towns that have seen the biggest population growth in the last decade:

1. Zurich (49.104)
2. Geneva (15.012)
3. Winterthur, Zurich (13.633)
4. Lausanne, Vaud (11.334)
5. Basel, Basel-Stadt (8.895)
6. Bern (8.077)
7. Lancy, Geneva (6.875)
8. Bulle, Fribourg (5.923)
9. Bülach, Zurich (5.776)
10. Dübendorf, Zurich (5.696)

By contrast, these are the communities that have seen their resident numbers fall the most:

1. La Chaux-de-Fonds, Neuchâtel (-1.469)
2. Le Locle, Neuchâtel (-630)
3. Chiasso, Ticino (-508)
4. Moutier, Bern (-437)
5. Davos, Graubünden (-411)
6. Leysin, Vaud (-381)
7. Faido, Ticino (-318)
8. Crans-Montana, Valais (-282)
9. Val-de-Travers, Neuchâtel (-254)
10. Tujetsch, Graubünden (-234)

For more information, and to see where your town is placed, check out the official data set.

Thumb image credit: Anton Gvozdikov / Shutterstock.com