Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
First results on the main demographic developments in the year of reference.
3.2. Classification system
Not applicable
3.3. Coverage - sector
Not applicable.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
3.4.1 Please indicate the definition of:
Population
The mother's residence
The data deaths
1.Usual Residence Population
2.Legal Residence Population
3.Registered Residence Population
4.Other
1.Usual Residence Population
2.Legal Residence Population
3.Registered Residence Population
4.Other
1.Usual Residence Population
2.Legal Residence Population
3.Registered Residence Population
4.Other
X
X
X
3.4.2 Please describe the national definition of
Population
Live births
Deaths
Immigrants
Emigrants
Permanent resident population, that is persons who live or are expected to live in the place of enumeration for a continuous period of at least 12 months.
The permanent resident population has comprised all Swiss nationals whose main place of residence is in Switzerland; foreign citizens with a residence or a permanent residence permit for at least twelve months (B or C permits or FDFA legitimation card [international civil servants, diplomats and their family members]); foreign nationals with a short-term residence permit (L permit) for a cumulative length of stay of at least twelve months; foreign nationals seeking asylum (permits F, N or S) with a total length of stay of at least twelve months.
When people from Ukraine arrive in Switzerland, they are issued with an S permit and counted as part of the non-permanent resident population. Subsequently, as soon as this person has resided in Switzerland for more than 12 months (and decides to stay in Switzerland), they obtain a renewal of their S permit and are then counted as part of the permanent resident population. It is at this point that the move is counted as "immigration". In the literal sense, it is not an immigration but rather a change from one population to another. We therefore count an immigration when someone becomes a permanent resident, whether by virtue of their permit or their length of stay.
Live birth means the birth of a child who breathes or shows any other evidence of life, such as beating of the heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord or definite movement of voluntary muscles, regardless of gestational age.
Death means the permanent disappearance of all evidence of life at any time after live birth has taken place (post-natal cessation of vital functions without capability of resuscitation).
Person who arrives from another country in order to establish his/her legal residence in Switzerland, for a period of at least 12 months.
Person who, having previously been legally resident in Switzerland for a period of at least 12 months, leaves for another country.
3.4.3 Please provide details of the deviations of the national definition used from the usual residence definition.
Population
Live births
Deaths
Immigrants
Emigrants
Usual residence is taken to mean the place of legal residence
Usual residence is taken to mean the place of legal residence
Usual residence is taken to mean the place of legal residence
Usual residence is taken to mean the place of legal residence
Usual residence is taken to mean the place of legal residence
3.5. Statistical unit
Number of persons.
3.6. Statistical population
In case of survey as data source, please describe the target statistical population (one or more) which the data set refers to
Population
Live births
Deaths
Immigrants
Emigrants
Not applicable.
3.7. Reference area
Data are available at national level of geographical detail.
3.8. Coverage - Time
Not applicable.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
Counts of statistical units.
The reference date for population data is the end of the reference period (midnight of 31 December). The reference period for vital events data is the calendar year in which the events occurred. However, some events from previous years which have been registered late are also included. The reference period for migration flow data is the calendar year in which the migration occurred.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
Federal Constitution of the Swiss Confederation of 18 April 1999.
Federal Statistics Act of 9 October 1992 (CC 431.01).
Federal Act on the Federal Census of 22 June 2007 (CC 431.112).
Ordinance of 30 April 2025 on Federal Statistics (SR 431.011).
Ordinance on the Federal Population Census of 19 December 2008 (CC 431.112.1).
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Not applicable.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
Federal Act on Data Protection of 1 September 2023 (CC 235.1).
Ordinance to the Federal Act on Data Protection of 14 June 1993 (CC 235.11).
Federal Statistics Act of 9 October 1992 (CC 431.01).
"Section 5 - Dissemination and services" of the Federal Statistics Act specifies: Art. 18, par. 3: Unless such publication is required by law, the results may not enable any conclusions to be drawn regarding the circumstances of individual natural persons or legal entities that the person or entity concerned has not already made generally available. Art. 19, par.2:The federal statistical bodies providers may disclose personal data for purposes not related to specific persons, in particular for research, planning or statistics, to research and statistical offices of the Confederation and to third parties, if: a. the data is rendered anonymous, as soon as the purpose of the processing the data is achieved; b. the recipient divulges the data with the consent of the statistics generators; c. the recipient only discloses the results so that the persons concerned are not recognisable; and d. the recipient meets the requirements for compliance with statistical secrecy and the other data protection provisions.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
Not applicable.
8.1. Release calendar
Provisional data on Vital Statistics are released at the end of February, definitive data at the beginning of July of each year.
Provisional data on Population Size and Composition are released at the end of April, definitive data at the end of August of each year.
Provisional data on Migation are released at the end of April, definitive data at the end of August of each year.
Data and metadata are available on internet. Data are mostly made available through excel tables and interactive tables (PC-Axis), on the web pages of the FSO, in German and French, and partly in Italian and English. For researchers, microdata can be made available for a limited duration, after signing a data protection contract.
The data are disseminated to all users at the same time. Users are informed via newsmails or press releases.
Some provisional vital events data are disseminated monthly. Provisional data on population size and composition are disseminated quarterly. The remaining vital events data and data on population size and composition are disseminated twice a year (first provisional, then definitive). Migration flow data are disseminated twice a year (first provisional, then definitive).
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
Press releases for vital events, population stock and migration data can be found in different languages. See the list below.
Data are mainly made available on the FSO internet pages, according to the release calendar. Results can be found under different topics: main page for the Population Domain
Available publications: The annual printed publications "Statistical Yearbook of Switzerland", "Statistical Data on Switzerland", "Switzerland's population" and "Newletters Demos. Demographic information" present (among other topics) results on vital events, population stock and migration.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
The main results on Vital Statistics and on Population are disseminated through interactive tables (PC-Axis): STAT-TAB - interactive tables (FSO)
First date of release on Vital Statistics 2024: June 19, 2025.
First date of release on Population 2024: August 27, 2025.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
Not applicable
10.5. Dissemination format - other
Not applicable
10.6. Documentation on methodology
Please provide a link to national methodology reports and reference metadata files available on-line concerning the supplied data.
Population
Live births
Deaths
Immigrants
Emigrants
Net migration
Information on the sources, concepts and definitions are available here:
Swiss official commune register: Catalogue of variables collected in the person registers, for statistics on Population. Available in German, French, Italian, and English.
In Switzerland, different laws and incentives guarantee that events are registered in the Civil Registers and that persons are registered in the Population registers. Therefore the overall quality of results for the population at their legal residence is judged as very good. However, homeless or roofless persons, nomads and vagrants are counted only if they are found in the Population registers.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Not applicable
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Not applicable
12.3. Completeness
Not applicable
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Please report on the reasons for any unreliability of the data on:
Population
Live births
Deaths
Immigrants
Emigrants
Net migration
100% reliable, except see explanation below
100% reliable, except see explanation below
100% reliable, except see explanation below
100% reliable, except see explanation below
100% reliable, except see explanation below
100% reliable, except see explanation below
The source for data on vital events, migration and population stock data are population registers and civil status registers. They cover the whole population, with the possible exception of parts of the roofless, vagrant and nomad population.
13.2. Sampling error
In case of survey as data source, please provide information on the part of the difference between a population value and an estimate thereof, derived from a random sample, which is due to the fact that only a subset of the population is enumerated.
Population
Live births
Deaths
Immigrants
Emigrants
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
13.3. Non-sampling error
In case of survey as data source, please provide information on the error in survey estimates which cannot be attributed to sampling fluctuations.
Population
Live births
Deaths
Immigrants
Emigrants
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
Not available
14.1. Timeliness
Most data on vital events are available the year following the event. However, some births and deaths, especially if they took place outside the country, can be registered with some delay.
14.2. Punctuality
Data are recorded with good punctuality in the registers and delivered by the various administrations to the FSO, via a secured IT line, according to planification.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
Data cover the whole of Switzerland and are completely comparable between geographical areas.
15.2. Comparability - over time
Please provide information on the length of comparable time series (indicate the first reference year for which data are availble), reference periods at which series occur, the reasons for the breaks and treatments of them.
Population
Live births
Deaths
Immigrants
Emigrants
Decennial Census since 1850. Annual data on population stock for the period 1971-2009, based on estimations (so-called ESPOP statistics). Since 2010, annual Population and Households Statistics (STATPOP), based on registers. For Population and Migration, a break in the series occurred in 2010, after the introduction of the new system of the annual census.
Number of live births available since 1803
Number of deaths available since 1803
Swiss immigrants: annual data for the period 1981-2010. Foreign immigrants: annual data for the period 1991-2010, based on registers (so-called PETRA statistics). Since 2011, STATPOP. For Population and Migration, a break in the series occurred in 2010, after the introduction of the new system of the annual census.
Swiss emigrants: annual data for the period 1981-2010. Foreign emigrants: annual data for the period 1991-2010, based on registers (so-called PETRA statistics). Since 2011, STATPOP. For Population and Migration, a break in the series occurred in 2010, after the introduction of the new system of the annual census.
For Population and Migration, a break in the series occurred in 2010, after the introduction of the new system of the annual census. Since 2001, only births and deaths involving a person with a permanent residence in Switzerland have been recorded .
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Not available
15.4. Coherence - internal
Data are coherent. The use of a unique personal identifier (the social insurance number) in all data sets allows for record matching during the production of the data and the correction of any incoherence.
No direct burden on respondents, since data are extracted from registers. A very small burden for citizens by completing register data with a diversity of thematical enquiries. However, reaching for a very small part of population (for example structural survey: annually 200'000 citizens).
17.1. Data revision - policy
Nowadays there is no revision planned in the census and vitals statistics.
17.2. Data revision - practice
Data published are considered definitive and there is no revision.
18.1. Source data
Please report on the data sources used for the first reference year and inform of any changes thereto, to produce:
Population
Live births
Deaths
Immigrants
Emigrants
Cantonal and communal population registers, and federal registers of persons
Civil status registers
Civil status registers
Cantonal and communal population registers, and federal registers of persons
Cantonal and communal population registers, and federal registers of persons
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Data on population stock and migration are collected quarterly, data on vital events are collected daily.
18.3. Data collection
Register-based data:
a) A special law was passed to define the minimum content of the already existing registers of persons: the Federal Act of 23 June 2006 on the Harmonisation of the Register of Residents and of other Official Registers of Persons (CC 431.02. See also the Ordinance on Register Harmonisation of 21 November 2007, CC 431.021). It also addresses the transmission of data to the FSO, the legal obligations regarding registration, the delays in reporting, etc.
b) Vital events are registered in the system Infostar of the Federal Civil Registry Office, according to the Ordinance on Civil Status of 26 June 2024 (CC 211.112.2). For information: Civil status - German, Civil status - French, Civil status - Italian. Persons can be registered in several registers, so during processing the FSO links the records with the help of a unique personal identifier (the social insurance number).
c) Annual structural survey
18.4. Data validation
Absolute figures received from the administratives registers are validated by the FSO before being processed and disseminated. Data validation takes place at several levels of data processing, and involves checking rules and data cross validation. Checking rules refer to the fulfilling of the restrictions imposed to the value of a data item in order to consider data as correct. If data are not plausible, the data provider is contacted for clarifications and if necessary adaptions are made consequently. Cross validations are carried out to check data consistency between the different tables. The last step of data validation refers to data and demographic indicators consistency over time.
18.5. Data compilation
Net migration - the difference between the number of immigrants and the number emigrants during the year (net migration is therefore negative when the number of emigrants exceeds the number of immigrants).
18.6. Adjustment
Data are not ajusted
Not available.
First results on the main demographic developments in the year of reference.
24 June 2024
3.4.1 Please indicate the definition of:
Population
The mother's residence
The data deaths
1.Usual Residence Population
2.Legal Residence Population
3.Registered Residence Population
4.Other
1.Usual Residence Population
2.Legal Residence Population
3.Registered Residence Population
4.Other
1.Usual Residence Population
2.Legal Residence Population
3.Registered Residence Population
4.Other
X
X
X
3.4.2 Please describe the national definition of
Population
Live births
Deaths
Immigrants
Emigrants
Permanent resident population, that is persons who live or are expected to live in the place of enumeration for a continuous period of at least 12 months.
The permanent resident population has comprised all Swiss nationals whose main place of residence is in Switzerland; foreign citizens with a residence or a permanent residence permit for at least twelve months (B or C permits or FDFA legitimation card [international civil servants, diplomats and their family members]); foreign nationals with a short-term residence permit (L permit) for a cumulative length of stay of at least twelve months; foreign nationals seeking asylum (permits F, N or S) with a total length of stay of at least twelve months.
When people from Ukraine arrive in Switzerland, they are issued with an S permit and counted as part of the non-permanent resident population. Subsequently, as soon as this person has resided in Switzerland for more than 12 months (and decides to stay in Switzerland), they obtain a renewal of their S permit and are then counted as part of the permanent resident population. It is at this point that the move is counted as "immigration". In the literal sense, it is not an immigration but rather a change from one population to another. We therefore count an immigration when someone becomes a permanent resident, whether by virtue of their permit or their length of stay.
Live birth means the birth of a child who breathes or shows any other evidence of life, such as beating of the heart, pulsation of the umbilical cord or definite movement of voluntary muscles, regardless of gestational age.
Death means the permanent disappearance of all evidence of life at any time after live birth has taken place (post-natal cessation of vital functions without capability of resuscitation).
Person who arrives from another country in order to establish his/her legal residence in Switzerland, for a period of at least 12 months.
Person who, having previously been legally resident in Switzerland for a period of at least 12 months, leaves for another country.
3.4.3 Please provide details of the deviations of the national definition used from the usual residence definition.
Population
Live births
Deaths
Immigrants
Emigrants
Usual residence is taken to mean the place of legal residence
Usual residence is taken to mean the place of legal residence
Usual residence is taken to mean the place of legal residence
Usual residence is taken to mean the place of legal residence
Usual residence is taken to mean the place of legal residence
Number of persons.
In case of survey as data source, please describe the target statistical population (one or more) which the data set refers to
Population
Live births
Deaths
Immigrants
Emigrants
Not applicable.
Data are available at national level of geographical detail.
The reference date for population data is the end of the reference period (midnight of 31 December). The reference period for vital events data is the calendar year in which the events occurred. However, some events from previous years which have been registered late are also included. The reference period for migration flow data is the calendar year in which the migration occurred.
Please report on the reasons for any unreliability of the data on:
Population
Live births
Deaths
Immigrants
Emigrants
Net migration
100% reliable, except see explanation below
100% reliable, except see explanation below
100% reliable, except see explanation below
100% reliable, except see explanation below
100% reliable, except see explanation below
100% reliable, except see explanation below
The source for data on vital events, migration and population stock data are population registers and civil status registers. They cover the whole population, with the possible exception of parts of the roofless, vagrant and nomad population.
Counts of statistical units.
Net migration - the difference between the number of immigrants and the number emigrants during the year (net migration is therefore negative when the number of emigrants exceeds the number of immigrants).
Please report on the data sources used for the first reference year and inform of any changes thereto, to produce:
Population
Live births
Deaths
Immigrants
Emigrants
Cantonal and communal population registers, and federal registers of persons
Civil status registers
Civil status registers
Cantonal and communal population registers, and federal registers of persons
Cantonal and communal population registers, and federal registers of persons
Some provisional vital events data are disseminated monthly. Provisional data on population size and composition are disseminated quarterly. The remaining vital events data and data on population size and composition are disseminated twice a year (first provisional, then definitive). Migration flow data are disseminated twice a year (first provisional, then definitive).
Most data on vital events are available the year following the event. However, some births and deaths, especially if they took place outside the country, can be registered with some delay.
Data cover the whole of Switzerland and are completely comparable between geographical areas.
Please provide information on the length of comparable time series (indicate the first reference year for which data are availble), reference periods at which series occur, the reasons for the breaks and treatments of them.
Population
Live births
Deaths
Immigrants
Emigrants
Decennial Census since 1850. Annual data on population stock for the period 1971-2009, based on estimations (so-called ESPOP statistics). Since 2010, annual Population and Households Statistics (STATPOP), based on registers. For Population and Migration, a break in the series occurred in 2010, after the introduction of the new system of the annual census.
Number of live births available since 1803
Number of deaths available since 1803
Swiss immigrants: annual data for the period 1981-2010. Foreign immigrants: annual data for the period 1991-2010, based on registers (so-called PETRA statistics). Since 2011, STATPOP. For Population and Migration, a break in the series occurred in 2010, after the introduction of the new system of the annual census.
Swiss emigrants: annual data for the period 1981-2010. Foreign emigrants: annual data for the period 1991-2010, based on registers (so-called PETRA statistics). Since 2011, STATPOP. For Population and Migration, a break in the series occurred in 2010, after the introduction of the new system of the annual census.
For Population and Migration, a break in the series occurred in 2010, after the introduction of the new system of the annual census. Since 2001, only births and deaths involving a person with a permanent residence in Switzerland have been recorded .
