According to the latest figures from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), the Swiss birth rate has fallen to its lowest level in 20 years, with 1.39 children per woman. This drop could be due to financial or family policy reasons, says Valérie-Anne Ryser, a social scientist at the University of Lausanne.
In 2022 the number of births in Switzerland decreased by 8.5% compared with 2021. Since 2010, the birth rate has fluctuated steadily around 1.5 children per woman, but in 2022 it fell to 1.39.
According Ryser, there could be several reasons for this drop in fertility rate. It could be cyclical and related to the Covid-19 crisis. “The various semi-lockdowns we have experienced might have created a sense of insecurity among people, who decided to have fewer children,” she told RTS.
This phenomenon has been observed elsewhere in Europe, particularly in the southern countries, which have been hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, high unemployment and major economic problems. “We’re seeing this decline in a number of countries around us,” Ryser said.
Another possible cause could be the lack of flexibility in family policies in Switzerland. “In Swiss society, women are still considered to be responsible for psrenthood, in the sense that paternity leave has recently been introduced and is short, even by European standards,” Ryser explained.
Finally, the drop in the birth rate could also be due to a deliberate choice not to have children. “We can see that at the moment there is a lot of discussion about what it means for a couple to have a child, and there is also a lot of debate about the responsibility that comes with having a child,” explains Ryser.
However, she believes that it is still difficult to know whether this figure of 1.39 children per woman is “a trend that will be confirmed in the future or whether it is purely cyclical”.
Popular Stories
More
Swiss Abroad
Heimatort, sweet Heimatort: the unique Swiss concept of home
As a Swiss Abroad, how do you feel about the emergence of more conservative family policies in some US states?
In recent years several US states have adopted more conservative policies on family issues, abortion and education. As a Swiss citizen living there, how do you view this development?
What factors should be taken into account when inheriting Swiss citizenship abroad?
Should there be a limit to the passing on of Swiss citizenship? Or is the current practice too strict and it should still be possible to register after the age of 25?
Plans materialise for new particle accelerator in Geneva
This content was published on
Preparations for a huge new particle accelerator in Geneva have reached a milestone. After several years of work, a feasibility study for the project has now been finalised.
This content was published on
The value of frozen Russian assets in Switzerland currently stands at CHF 7.4 billion, the Swiss Confederation announced on Tuesday. This represents an increase of CHF 1.6 billion in one year. Additional assets have been identified, according to the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs.
This content was published on
The number of business start-ups in Switzerland accelerated in the first three months of the year, with entrepreneurs being particularly dynamic in Central Switzerland, Basel and Geneva.
Most Swiss authorities want to ban Nazi symbols in public
This content was published on
A majority of Swiss political parties, cantons and associations want to ban the use and distribution of Nazi symbols in public.
This content was published on
French and Swiss armoured and artillery units will train together to strengthen the defence capabilities of the Swiss army.
Harmful substances in particulate matter underestimated: Swiss research
This content was published on
Measurements significantly underestimate the amount of harmful substances in particulate matter, says an international research team under Swiss leadership.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Immigration spurred Swiss population growth in 2022
This content was published on
The resident population in the Alpine Nation increased by 0.8% to 8.8 million last year, with immigration offsetting a historically low birth-rate.
Swiss Caesarean births still among highest in Europe
This content was published on
Nearly a third of all births in Switzerland are Caesarean sections, one of the highest rates in Europe, according to the latest data.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.