More than 645,000 Swiss live abroad

Keystone

The number of the Swiss living abroad is growing constantly and now exceeds 645,000, the foreign ministry revealed on Thursday.

At the end of 2006, 645,010 Swiss citizens were living outside Switzerland. This is an increase of 10,794 individuals or 1.7 per cent over the figure for December 2005.

Since 2000, the number of Swiss abroad has grown by 11.1 per cent. Dual citizenship is possessed by 460,065 people – almost three-quarters of the total.

The majority of the Swiss living abroad – 390,182 or 60.5 per cent – have their residence in the European Union. The largest Swiss expatriate community is in France (171,732), followed by Germany (72,384), Italy (47,012), Britain (27,326), Spain (22,680) and Austria (13,380).

In countries outside Europe, most Swiss expatriates are to be found in the United States (71,984), followed by Canada (36,374), Australia (21,291), Argentina (15,061), Brazil (13,956), Israel (12,011) and South Africa (8,821).

The statistics further reveal that 287,762 or 58.2 per cent of adult Swiss citizens living abroad are women (not including the Swiss expatriates in the Principality of Liechtenstein). In addition 22.9 per cent or 146,615 are younger than 18.

A total of 111,249 Swiss abroad have opted to exercise their right to participate in decision-making at the ballot box by registering to vote at a Swiss commune. Of the 494,802 Swiss abroad who are entitled to vote, 22.48 per cent actively exercise their rights.

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In brief

The Organisation of the Swiss Abroad represents Swiss expatriates’ interests in Switzerland.

It informs Swiss citizens living abroad about events in Switzerland and provides them with a wide selection of services.

Approximately 750 Swiss expatriates’ associations and Swiss institutions all over the world support the OSA.

Founded in 1916, it is recognised by the authorities as the representative organ of the Swiss abroad.