More children were born in Switzerland last year than at any time in the past 50 years. Life expectancy increased, and fewer people died than during the first pandemic year of 2020.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/ts
Español
es
Baby boom en Suiza y reducción de número de decesos en 2021
According to provisional statistics for 2021, the permanent resident population of Switzerland grew by 0.8% compared with 2020 to more than 8.7 million people at the end of the year, the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) said on TuesdayExternal link. The population increase was thus slightly stronger than in the three previous years (0.7%).
Last year 89,400 live births were recorded in Switzerland, the highest number since 1972. The 4.1% increase was also the highest since 1988. The pandemic may have had an indirect influence on the number of births, the FSO told the Swiss News Agency Keystone-SDA.
All 26 cantons recorded an increase in births except Nidwalden and Obwalden in central Switzerland.
The number of children per woman rose from 1.46 in 2020 to 1.51.
More
More
Swiss population projected to top 10 million by 2050
This content was published on
Those 65 and older will see their ranks swell, while the working-age population will grow more slowly, according to the Federal Statistical Office.
Last year 71,100 people died in Switzerland. This is 5,100 fewer than in 2020, when Covid-19 claimed its first victim. Nevertheless, the number of deaths was still 3,300 more than in 2019, before the pandemic.
The net birth surplus (the difference between births and deaths), which had fallen sharply in 2020 as a result of more deaths, rose again to 18,300 people in 2021.
Life expectancy at birth also rose again, from 81.1 years to 81.7 years for men and from 85.2 years to 85.7 years for women.
Last year 165,600 people moved to Switzerland (up 1.5%) and 114,600 people left the country (up 4.8%). As a result, net migration fell from 53,800 to 51,000.
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?
Swiss-backed ‘Hera’ asteroid mission hits key milestone with Mars flyby
This content was published on
According to the European Space Agency (ESA), the Red Planet’s gravity will tweak the probe’s path, cutting months off the journey and saving a lot of fuel.
Swiss man arrested over Geneva parcel bomb attacks
This content was published on
A 61-year-old Swiss man was arrested in Geneva in connection with the parcel bomb incidents that left a man and a 12-year-old girl seriously injured.
UN officials in Geneva report over 100 civilian executions in western Syria
This content was published on
Verification is ongoing, and the actual number is likely higher, said a UN spokesperson in Geneva. A Syrian NGO claims executions could exceed 1,000.
Swiss pharma giant Roche partners with Zealand Pharma on new obesity treatment
This content was published on
Roche announced that it has struck an exclusive deal with Denmark's Zealand Pharma to develop and market petrelintide, a new treatment for obesity.
Experts lower Swiss growth forecasts due to US trade tensions
This content was published on
The uncertainty caused by ongoing trade conflicts is making companies hesitant to make decisions, which significantly hinders investment.
Swiss abbot resumes role following abuse investigation
This content was published on
Scarcella was accused in the Catholic Church abuse scandal last autumn. In October 2024, the Vatican declared there was no evidence of abuse or harassment against him.
Swiss stock exchange operator SIX to cut 150 jobs in efficiency drive
This content was published on
"We're not revealing the number of job losses at each location at the moment," said a SIX spokesperson. However, there will be cuts in Switzerland as well.
Martin Pfister named new Swiss government minister
This content was published on
Pfister’s election keeps the linguistic balance of Switzerland’s government, but shifts gender balance to only two women.
Swiss interior minister meets UN leaders in New York for women’s rights session
This content was published on
The Swiss interior minister also held bilateral meetings with UN Secretary-General António Guterres and Sima Sami Bahous, Executive Director of UN Women
The image of foreigners in Switzerland has deteriorated
This content was published on
The Federal Statistical Office has found that Swiss people’s views of foreigners have worsened over the last couple of years.
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
Swiss population continues to age and diversify
This content was published on
In 2019, the Swiss population grew in size, aged, and became slightly more foreign, according to annual statistics published on Thursday.
This content was published on
The resident population of Switzerland grew by 64,300 people to 8,670,300 last year, despite the increase in deaths due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
This content was published on
The first death in Switzerland from Covid-19 has been confirmed in canton Vaud. A 74-year-old woman died early on Thursday.
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.