Why do 60 percent of immigrants leave Switzerland?

Though Switzerland is well known for its large international community, new data has revealed that a significant number of expats do not stay for long. Of those who come to the alpine nation for work or to reunite with family, fewer than half end up staying long-term.

Most new arrivals to Switzerland leave within five years

According to data from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), an average of 155.000 people claimed a residence permit for Switzerland every year between 2013 and 2022. By contrast, an average of 90.000 non-Swiss nationals emigrated, meaning that around 60 percent of immigrants end up leaving Switzerland.

The FSO noted that of the 200.000 foreign nationals who arrived in Switzerland in 2011, half had already left the country within five years. After 11 years, 60 percent of the 2011 arrivals had emigrated.

Swiss emigration rates some of Europe's highest

By European comparison, Switzerland has some of the continent’s highest emigration rates. According to recent data from Eurostat, between 2021 and 2023, 54 people left Switzerland for every 100 people who arrived, the sixth highest rate in Europe only behind Greece (82 per 100), Cyprus (68 per 100), Hungary (67 per 100), Slovenia (57 per 100) and Denmark (55 per 100).

"People tend to forget that people who immigrate don't necessarily settle down," noted Liliana Azevedo from the Swiss Research Centre for Migration at the University of Neuchâtel.

Why do so many expats leave Switzerland?

Speaking to SRF, Azevedo noted that with most residence permits tied to jobs and work requirements, “Unemployment, insecure, or unskilled jobs are all obstacles to staying longer than a few years" in Switzerland. Swissinfo added that difficulties integrating and learning a Swiss language are also major barriers for most expats.

The fact that settled residence status and Swiss citizenship are so challenging to obtain could also contribute to the high rates of emigration. In addition, Azevedo noted that the traditional view of what an expat is - coming to fulfil a work contract or university course lasting a few years, then leaving - is still popular in Switzerland.

By having a time limit on how long they stay, these migrants tend not to develop a strong bond or connection with the country, making it more likely for them to move away. Azevedo added that this lifestyle has been made more accessible thanks to the free movement of people agreement between the Swiss government and the EU.

Finally, she argued that many internationals choose to leave Switzerland when they retire. This so-called “ideology of return” is strongest among the Portuguese community, who are the nationality most likely to leave Switzerland after immigrating.