DON’T MISS
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingIamExpat Webinars
Newsletters
EXPAT INFO
CAREER
HOUSING
EDUCATION
LIFESTYLE
EXPAT SERVICES
NEWS & ARTICLES
Home
Expat Info
Swiss news & articles
More babies and divorces: How the Swiss population changed in 2021
Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy

More babies and divorces: How the Swiss population changed in 2021

Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy
or
follow us for regular updates:



Related Stories

What is the most common day to give birth in Switzerland?What is the most common day to give birth in Switzerland?
What are the most popular baby names in Zurich?What are the most popular baby names in Zurich?
10 romantic Swiss German terms of endearment to woo your amore10 romantic Swiss German terms of endearment to woo your amore
COVID lockdown caused baby boom in Switzerland, new report findsCOVID lockdown caused baby boom in Switzerland, new report finds
The most popular baby names in Switzerland in 2023The most popular baby names in Switzerland in 2023
13 best things to do with kids in Switzerland13 best things to do with kids in Switzerland
Switzerland ranked third-worst for parental work-life balance by new studySwitzerland ranked third-worst for parental work-life balance by new study
Zurich's top baby names for 2023: Sofia and Leo return to top spotsZurich's top baby names for 2023: Sofia and Leo return to top spots
For expats of all colours, shapes and sizes

Explore
Expat infoCareerHousingEducationLifestyleExpat servicesNews & articles
About us
IamExpat MediaAdvertisePost a jobContact usSitemap
More IamExpat
IamExpat Job BoardIamExpat HousingWebinarsNewsletters
Privacy
Terms of usePrivacy policyCookiesAvoiding scams

Never miss a thing!Sign up for expat events, news & offers, delivered once a week.
Keep me updated with exclusive offers from partner companies
By signing up, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with our privacy policy


© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
© 2025 IamExpat Media B.V.
Jun 27, 2022
Jan de Boer

Editor at IamExpat Media

Jan studied History at the University of York and Broadcast Journalism at the University of Sheffield. Though born in York, Jan has lived most of his life in Zurich and has worked as a journalist, writer and editor since 2016. While he has plunged head-first back into life in Switzerland since returning to the country in 2020, he still enjoys a taste of home at pub quizzes and karaoke nights.Read more

The latest data from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) has revealed how the population of Switzerland has changed over the last year. In 2021, 89.600 people were born in Switzerland, with most women giving birth later in life. The number of marriages and divorces has also increased.

More births than deaths recorded in Switzerland

The latest data found that in 2021, 89.600 babies were registered in Switzerland, 4,3 percent more than in 2020. In 71 percent of births, mothers were between 30 and 40 years old, with most newborn babies being second or subsequent pregnancies. 

The majority of babies were born to couples who were married. However, there has also been a notable increase in the number of babies born to partners, with three out of 10 children in Switzerland now born out of wedlock.

The FSO found that while the birth rate increased, the death rate declined significantly. In 2021, 71.200 people passed away, a drop of 6,6 percent compared to the year before. Life expectancy was 81,6 years for men and 85,6 for women.

Two in five marriages in Switzerland end in divorce

2021 also saw more people tie the knot, with 36.400 new marriages recorded in Switzerland. However, the number of new marriages is still well below pre-pandemic levels. For men, the average age to get married was 32,2 years and for women, it was 30,2.

Alongside marriages, the FSO found that the number of divorces has also increased. In all, there were 5,9 percent more divorces in 2021 than the year before, with the biggest increase being recorded in couples who had been married for 10 to 14 years. If current trends continue, two out of five marriages in Switzerland will end in divorce.

Finally, the FSO noted that the number of same-sex registered partnerships has been on the decline since 2018. In all, 582 partnerships were registered in 2021, 10,6 percent fewer than in 2020. This is perhaps unsurprising, as many couples are expected to wait until July 1, 2022, when same-sex marriage is made legal in Switzerland.

By Jan de Boer