2021

01
Population

Neuchâtel 2022

Switzerland’s population in 2021

Population

In terms of population growth,

Switzerland is a dynamic country

1900 1920 1940 1960 1980 2000 2021

growth rate, in % population on 31.12., in millions

Sources: FSO – ESPOP, RFP, STATPOP © FSO 2022

In 2021, Switzerland had 8.7 million inhabitants

compared with 6.8 million in 1990

Swiss 74.3%
population
8 738 791

4 338 203 4 400 588

Foreign 25.7%
population

Average age Households by household size

41.7 1 2 3+

43.7 36.8% 32.7% 30.5%

Source: FSO – STATPOP © FSO 2022

Births and fertility

Each successive generation is smaller

than that of its parents

In 1000 Per 1000 population

120 36
33
100 30
27
80 24
21
60 18
15
40 12
9
20 6
3
0 0
1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2021
per 1000 population in 1000

Sources: FSO– BEVNAT, ESPOP, STATPOP © FSO 2022

In 2021, more than one birth in four took place

outside marriage

89 644 Most popular first

Live births
names of newborns

43 716 Mia Noah

Emma Liam
45 928 Elena Matteo

Fertility indicators by sex

Average number of children 1.52 1.42

Average age at childbirth 32.3 35.2

Evolution of births outside marriage

2000 8389
2010 14 947
2021 25 546

Sources: FSO – BEVNAT, STATPOP © FSO 2022

Deaths and mortality
The fight against infectious diseases, the general
improvement in living conditions and the development
of medical techniques reduced mortality over
the course of the 20th century

In 1000 Per 1000 population

80 24

70 21

60 18

50 15

40 12

30 9

20 6

10 3

0 0
1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2021
per 1000 population in 1000

Sources: FSO – BEVNAT, ESPOP, STATPOP © FSO 2022

Life expectancy at birth has increased

despite the many deaths in 2021
Deaths
80 000 75 034
71 192
70 000 67 780
60 000 85.6 85.7
50 000 81.9 81.6
40 000
30 000 49.0

20 000
43.9
10 000
0
1918 2019 2021

Life expectancy
at birth

Sources: FSO – BEVNAT, ESPOP, STATPOP © FSO 2022

Marriages and registered partnerships

The institution of marriage is declining in favour

of other forms of living together

In 1000 Per 1000 population

50 10

45 9

40 8

35 7

30 6

25 5

20 4

15 3

10 2

5 1

0 0
1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2021

per 1000 population in 1000

Sources: FSO – BEVNAT, ESPOP, STATPOP © FSO 2022

On average, persons who enter a registered same-sex

partnership are older than those who get married

Marriages
36 410 Average age at
first-time marriage

2021 32.2 30.3

1980 27.4 25.0

Average age at
time of registration
of partnership

2021 43.8 43.5

Sources: FSO – BEVNAT, STATPOP © FSO 2022

Divorces and dissolved partnerships
A record number of divorces was recorded in 2010
with 22 100 legal dissolutions of marriage

In 1000 Per 1000 population

25 5

20 4

15 3

10 2

5 1

0 0
1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2021
per 1000 population in 1000

Sources: FSO – BEVNAT, ESPOP, STATPOP © FSO 2022

The average length of marriage at time of divorce

is increasing due to the fact that many divorces take
place after 20 years or more of marriage

Divorces Average length of marriage

at the time of divorce

17 159 15.7 years

Average
age at divorce 49.7 45.7

Number of divorces Number of divorces without

with minor children children or with mature children

8408 8751

Sources : FSO – BEVNAT, STATPOP © FSO 2022

International and internal migration

One in seven persons arriving in Switzerland and

one in four leaving the country are Swiss nationals
Immigration Emigration

Switzerland
9.9% 13.4% 9.1%
5.4% Europe 4.7%
2.4% 24.6%
3.2% Africa
America
Asia,
Oceania,
stateless
59.1%
68.1% persons

therefrom therefrom
12.8 Germany 10.4
9.8 Italy 7.6
9.4 France 7.1
4.6 Portugal 8.8
3.8 Spain 3.0
3.2 Romania 1.9
2.9 Poland 2.3
1.7 Hungary 1.6
15% 10% 5% 0% 0% 5% 10% 15%

Source: FSO – STATPOP © FSO 2022

Net internal migration, 2021

Difference between arrivals and departures from/to other regions of
Switzerland per 1 000 population1
5.0 ≤
2.5 – 4.9
0.1 – 2.4
0.0 – 0.0
-2.5 – -0.1
-5.0 – -2.6
-5.0 >

0 25 km Spatial division:
canton
1
average permanent resident population

Source: FSO – STATPOP © FSO 2022

Ageing
There are ever fewer young people and ever more older
people dependent on the working-age population
31.12.1900 31.12.1950 31.12.2021

100 100 100

90 90 90

80 80 80

70 70 70

60 60 60

50 50 50

40 40 40

30 30 30

20 20 20

10 10 10

40 20 0 0 20 40 40 20 0 0 20 40 60 40 20 0 0 20 40 60

Sources: FSO – FPC, STATPOP © FSO 2022

The percentage of older people grows each year

65–79 years
1 189 332

31.1 32.7
80–99 years
Age dependency 470 099
ratios

100 years
or older
1 888

Source: FSO – STATPOP © FSO 2022

Population projections

To a greater or lesser extent, the population

will continue to increase until 2050

In millions
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
1990 2000 2010 2020 2030 2040 2050

observations scenario B-00-2020

scenario A-00-2020 scenario C-00-2020

Source: FSO – SCENARIO © FSO 2022

In 2050, there will be roughly two working-age persons

for each retirement-age person

Age structure, in millions, in 2021 and 2050

1.7 2.0 5.3 5.8 1.7 2.7

0–19 years 20–64 years 65 years or older

Total population

2050
2021 10.4 m
8.7 m

Sources: FSO – SCENARIO, STATPOP © FSO 2022

Published by : Federal Statistical Office (FSO)
Information : Federal Statistical Office (FSO),
Demography and Migration DEM
info.dem@bfs.admin.ch, tel. +41 58 463 67 11
Editor(s) : Athena Krummenacher, FSO ; Fabienne Rausa, FSO
Contents : Demography and Migration Section DEM
Series : Swiss Statistics
Topic : 01 Population
Original text : French
Translation : FSO language services
Layout : PUB section, Publications and visual design
Graphics : PUB section, StatChart
Maps : PUB section, ThemaKart
Online : www.statistics.admin.ch
Print : www.statistics.admin.ch
Federal Statistical Office, CH-2010 Neuchâtel,
order@bfs.admin.ch, tel. +41 58 463 60 60
Printed in Switzerland
Copyright : FSO, Neuchâtel 2022
Reproduction with mention of source authorised.
FSO number : 1155-2100

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