Swiss community abroad continues to grow

More Swiss are living outside the Swiss borders Keystone

The number of Swiss citizens living abroad has continued to increase, rising 2% in 2015, according to the latest figures from the foreign ministry.

As of the end of last year, 761,930 Swiss citizens were registered as living outside the country’s borders – an increase of 15,045. 

Asia was the world region that saw the largest growth in Swiss citizens, with 3.5% of all those abroad in 2015 living in an Asian country. But in absolute numbers, neighbouring Europe remained the top destination – with 4,173 more registered in France and 2,103 more in Germany.

Other countries with large increases in Swiss living within their borders included the United States, with an increase of around 1,500, the United Kingdom with an increase of 1,200 and Israel with an additional 740.

About two thirds of all Swiss abroad live in Europe, with the largest populations in France and Germany. Overall, Swiss citizens live in more than 200 of the world’s countries.

Nearly three quarters of Swiss abroad have at least one other citizenship besides Switzerland.

The increase in the number of Swiss living abroad can at least partially be attributed to new registrations of dual citizens living abroad under a recent requirement that Swiss abroad must register at a nearby consulate or embassy.