All cantons saw small increases, except for Neuchâtel and Ticino. Canton Schwyz had the highest population growth (+1.2%). The small national increase follows a decade of annual population growth above 1%.
Last year, a total of 171,700 foreigners moved to Switzerland, while the number of people emigrating also rose to 126,200, made up of 31,800 Swiss nationals and 94,400 foreign nationals.
Net migration (+45,500 people) – the difference between people entering and leaving the country – continues to decline slightly (-1%). Natural population growth – the difference between births and deaths – also fell by 8.9% to +18,600 individuals.
The Swiss population comprises 6,395,300 Swiss nationals (74.9%) and 2,147,000 foreign nationals (25.1%). Canton Geneva had the highest proportion of foreign residents (40%) while canton Appenzell Inner Rhodes had the lowest share of foreigners (11%).
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Geneva: Switzerland’s most cosmopolitan canton
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New statistics underline Geneva’s status as the most international canton: almost two-thirds of residents have a foreign passport.
Holcim selling business in Nigeria to Chinese cement group
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The Swiss cement manufacturer Holcim wants to sell its shares in the Nigeria-based Lafarge Africa PLC Group to the Chinese cement manufacturer Huaxin Cement. The sale price is one billion dollars on a 100 percent basis.
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The Swiss Scout Movement has been recognised for its achievements in promoting tolerance, respect and living together in peace.
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Compulsory tipping does not meet with unanimous approval among the Swiss. More than two-thirds do not want to include tipping in the price of their food.
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Electric cars are still a rarity in Switzerland. Currently, 4.1 percent of registered cars run exclusively on electricity. There are some major differences between the cantons, as the Energy Reporter from Energie Schweiz and Geoimpact shows.
Black Friday gets off to a slow start in Swiss shops
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Black Friday has established itself as one of the biggest shopping events in Switzerland in recent years. On Friday, however, business was rather slow, especially in the stores.
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Geneva: Switzerland’s most cosmopolitan canton
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New statistics underline Geneva’s status as the most international canton: almost two-thirds of residents have a foreign passport.
Defining the 25% foreign population in Switzerland
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For the first time, Switzerland has 2 million foreigners living in its midst. But just who exactly are they? These graphics offer an explanation.
Is Switzerland crowded compared to other countries?
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How densely populated is Switzerland compared to its neighbours? The growth has led to many calls over the years to limit immigration.
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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.