Over a third of the dependents were under 17 years of age
Keystone
The number of refugees in Switzerland who are dependent on financial assistance from the state increased by almost 10% in one year. However, the proportion of dependent refugees is on a decreasing trend.
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swissinfo.ch and agencies
According to figures released by the Federal Statistical Office on Thursday, 14,897 refugees benefited from state financial assistance in 2014, an increase of 9.8% over the previous year.
The proportion of refugees dependent on the state amounted to 81.2% compared with 81.9% in 2013 and 86% in 2012.
Eritreans constitute the largest group of dependents making up almost 55% of all beneficiaries. The dependency rate among them is 86.2%, surpassed only by Ethiopian refugees (86.9%).
Those with a provisional permit (F) constituted over a quarter of the beneficiaries and more men (52.8%) than women (47.2%) were dependent on state aid.
The prospects of refugees in the Swiss job market appear limited as almost 60% lack any kind of professional qualifications and the education level of around a third remains unknown.
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