Migrants continue to fuel population growth

Not everyone is happy with the way that Switzerland's population is developing Keystone

The Swiss population grew 1.2% to reach 8,237,666 at the end of 2014, driven up largely by migration and a surplus of births over deaths. The number of foreigners swelled 3% to reach close to two million – or 24.3% of the total population.

However, the rate of increase in the foreign population is declining. Last year saw a net increase of 76,223 migrants compared to a growth of more than 87,000 in 2013. The rate of foreign population growth could also be further slashed in future depending on how a referendum to restrict the mass immigration of foreign workers is implemented in Switzerland.

At the same time, the number of foreigners obtaining a Swiss passport is also falling. Last year, 32,836 foreigners were awarded Swiss citizenship compared to 34,000 in 2013 and 39,000 in 2010.

The number of Swiss citizens living abroad also rose slightly to 746,885.

The latest demographic figures from the Federal Statistical Office also showed how the population is ageing. Nearly 1,500,000 people living in Switzerland are aged 65 or over (17.8% of the total population).

Men who reach the age of 65 in Switzerland can expect to live on average another 19.4 years and 22.4 years for women.

Switzerland has one of the world’s highest average life expectancies of 81 years for men and 85.2 years for women.