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.
Federal Statistical Office Espace de l'Europe 10 2010 Neuchâtel SWITZERLAND
1.6. Contact email address
Confidential because of GDPR
1.7. Contact phone number
Confidential because of GDPR
1.8. Contact fax number
Confidential because of GDPR
2.1. Metadata last certified
14 February 2025
2.2. Metadata last posted
3 March 2025
2.3. Metadata last update
6 March 2025
3.1. Data description
Data and metadata are transmitted to Eurostat by the Member States in the framework of the Unified Demographic Data Collection which is in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 862/2007 and Regulation (EU) No 1260/2013 and their implementing regulations.
The regional breakdown of the Member States in the regional demographic tables is done under the most recent NUTS classification. There are agreements between Eurostat and Candidate countries as well as between Eurostat and EFTA countries, for which statistical regions have been coded in a way that resembles NUTS.
For more information on the versions in force, please see: Eurostat NUTS.
3.3. Coverage - sector
Not applicable.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
3.4.1 Statistical concepts and definitions used in the statistics transmitted to Eurostat
1. Usually Resident Population
2. Legal Residence Population
3. Registered Residence Population
4. Other
Population
X
Live births
X
Deaths
X
Immigrants
X
Emigrants
X
Acquisitions of citizenship
X
Loss of citizenship
Not available.
Legally induced abortions
X
Late foetal deaths
X
Infant deaths
X
Marriages
X
Divorces
X
3.4.2 Statistical concepts and definitions used in the statistics disseminated in the National Statistical Institute's website
Population
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.
Live births
Live birth means the birth of a child that 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.
Deaths
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).
Immigrants
Person that arrives from another country in order to establish his/her legal residence in Switzerland, for a period of at least 12 months.
Emigrants
Person that, having previously been legally resident in Switzerland for a period of at least 12 months, leaves for another country.
Acquisitions of citizenship
Acquisition of Swiss citizenship by a person that previously was citizen of another country or stateless. This person counts as a Swiss national from the date on which they have acquired Swiss nationality. There are distinguished 5 types of acquisition of Swiss citizenship by foreign nationals:
ordinary naturalization;
facilitating naturalization;
reinstatement;
determination of the Swiss civil law;
adoption by a Swiss citizen or a Swiss citizen (for an immature foreign child).
Loss of citizenship
Loss of citizenship, also referred to as loss of nationality, is the event of ceasing to be a citizen of a country under the nationality law of that country. You can lose your Swiss citizenship under legal reasons:
if the parent-child relationship through which you acquired Swiss citizenship is severed;
if you are born abroad to a Swiss citizen but not registered with a Swiss authority by the time you reach the age of 22;
or official decree:
if you have been relieved of your Swiss citizenship at your own request;
if you have dual nationality but your Swiss citizenship is revoked as a result of conduct deemed to be seriously detrimental to the interests or the reputation of Switzerland.
Legally induced abortions
Since 2002, women may terminate a pregnancy during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy of her own free will. After the 13th week, a doctor must show that the abortion is necessary to prevent danger to the woman's life or physical health or to prevent serious emotional distress. The risk must be greater the more advanced the pregnancy is (no time limit). Data refer to abortions carried out in Switzerland among women living in Switzerland. Reference: Swiss Criminal Code – Legal abortion Art. 119.
Late foetal deaths
The expulsion or extraction from the mother of a dead fetus. Until 2004, the definition of late fetal death was a fetus with a size from at least 30 cm. Since 2005, minimal gestation period of 22 weeks or minimal fetal weight of 500 g.
Infant deaths
“Infant death” means the death of a live-born infant (irrespective of gestational age or birthweight) that has not yet completed 1 year of life.
Marriages
Approved public act which has resulted in a marriage, i.e. a permanent cohabitation of two persons.
Same-sex couples can marry or convert their registered partnership into a marriage from 1 July 2022.
Divorces
Legal dissolution of a marriage. The divorce can be done on the common desire of both spouses or on complaint of a spouse.
3.4.3 Differences in statistical concepts and definitions between the statistics transmitted to Eurostat and those disseminated in the National Statistics Institute's website
Population
Not applicable.
Live births
Not applicable.
Deaths
Not applicable.
Immigrants
Not applicable.
Emigrants
Not applicable.
Acquisitions of citizenship
Not applicable.
Loss of citizenship
Not applicable.
Legally induced abortions
Not applicable.
Late foetal deaths
Not applicable.
Infant deaths
Not applicable.
Marriages
Not applicable.
Divorces
Not applicable.
3.5. Statistical unit
Number of persons.
3.6. Statistical population
Statistical population
Population
Not applicable.
Live births
Not applicable.
Deaths
Not applicable.
Immigrants
Not applicable.
Emigrants
Not applicable.
Acquisitions of citizenship
Not applicable.
Loss of citizenship
Not applicable.
Legally induced abortions
Not applicable.
Late foetal deaths
Not applicable.
Infant deaths
Not applicable.
Marriages
Not applicable.
Divorces
Not applicable.
3.7. Reference area
Population, live births and deaths data are available at national and regional level of geographical detail.
3.8. Coverage - Time
1 January - 31 December.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
Data is collected at unit (person) level.
The reference date for population data is the end of the reference period (midnight of 31 December).
The reference period for vital and dual 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 Fedral Census of 22 June 2007 (CC 431.112); Ordinance on the conduct of Statistical Surveys by Confederation of 30 June 1993 (CC 431.012.1); Ordinance on the Federal Population Census of 19 December 2008 (CC 431.112.1).
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Not available.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
Federal Act on Data Protection of 19 June 1992 (CC 235.1) revised on 20 of September 2020 (available in French); 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:
Article 18, paragraph 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.
Article 19, paragraph 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 recpient meets the requirements for compliance with statistical secrecy and the other data protection provisions.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
Not available.
8.1. Release calendar
Provisional data on Vital Statistics are released at the beginning of April, definitive data at the end of June of each year. Provisional data on Population Size and Composition are released at the beginning of April, definitive data at the end of August of each year. Definitive data on Migration are released 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 and data linkage contract.
The data are disseminated to all users at the same time. Users are informed via newsletters 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 yearly.
Weekly deaths, published every Tuesday.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
Press releases for vital events, population stock and migration data:
Data are mainly made available on the FSO web pages, according to the release calendar. Results can be found under different topics (the main page for the Population domain).
The annual printed publications “Statistical Yearbook of Switzerland”, “Statistical Data on Switzerland”, “Switzerland's population” and “Newsletter Demos” present (among other topics) results on vital events, population stock and migration.
11.2.1. Quality assessment: Type of duration of stay used when counting a person as a migrant according to Art. 2(b) of Regulation (EC) No 862/2007
1. Actual duration of stay of at least 12 months
2. Intended duration of stay of at least 12 months
3. Actual and intended duration of stay of at least 12 months
4. Other. Please specify
Nationals
Immigrants
X
Emigrants
X
EEA citizens
Immigrants
X
Emigrants
X
Non EEA citizens
Immigrants
X
Emigrants
X
11.2.2. Quality assessment of the definition of acquisitions of citizenship according to Art. 3(d) of Regulation (EC) No 862/2007
1. Acquisitions of citizenship granted to persons having their usual residence in the territory of the Member State
2. Other. Please specify
Acquisitions of citizenship
X
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
Not available.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
Not available.
12.3. Completeness
Not available.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Overall accuracy and special cases (Inclusion/exclusion of asylum seekers and refugees, persons living on unauthorised or irregular basis, international students, persons who do not register/deregister,...)
Population
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.
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 are included in the usual resident population. Recognized refugees are always included in the usual resident population. “Population” therefore includes all refugees and a subset of asylum seekers (those present for at least 12 months).
In Switzerland, different laws 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.
One of the reasons behind the category “unknown” in the different breakdowns is that the person has not provided any information in the register. The data, thus, shall not be considered as incorrect, and the data producers do not correct the unknown values.
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. Data include all refugees and those asylum seekers with a duration of residence of at least 12 months.
One of the reasons behind the category “unknown” in the different breakdowns is that the person has not provided any information in the register. The data, thus, shall not be considered as incorrect, and the data producers do not correct the unknown values.
Deaths
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. Data include all refugees and those asylum seekers with a duration of residence of at least 12 months.
One of the reasons behind the category “unknown” in the different breakdowns is that the person has not provided any information in the register. The data, thus, shall not be considered as incorrect, and the data producers do not correct the unknown values.
Immigrants
The source for data on vital events, migration and population stock data are population registers (inhabitants and migrants) and civil status registers. They cover the whole population, with the possible exception of parts of the roofless, vagrant and nomad population. Asylum seekers are counted as immigrants in the calendar year in which their duration of residence reaches one year (i.e. not necessarily in the year in which they actually immigrated).
The latter also applies to persons fleeing from Ukraine since March 2022 and receiving temporary protection. They are also counted as immigrants and part of the permanent resident population after 12 months of stay in Switzerland.
When a person arrives in Switzerland and obtains a S, F or N permit, the person is counted in 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), his/her F, S or N permit is renewed and the person is then counted in the permanent resident population. It is at this point that this transition is counted as ‘immigration’. Strictly speaking, it is not immigration but rather a change from one population to another. We therefore count immigration when someone becomes a permanent resident, whether because of his/her permit or the length of his/her stay.
Emigrants
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.
Acquisitions of citizenship
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.
One of the reasons behind the category “unknown” in the different breakdowns is that the person has not provided any information in the register. The data, thus, shall not be considered as incorrect, and the data producers do not correct the unknown values.
Loss of citizenship
Not applicable.
Legally induced abortions
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.
Late foetal deaths
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.
Infant deaths
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.
Marriages
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.
Divorces
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.
According to Article 4 (2) of the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 205/2014, each year Member States shall provide the Commission (Eurostat) with data at national and regional level as described in Annex II and related standard reference metadata ( In the metadata structure definition defined for the Euro SDMX Metadata Structure) for the reference year within 12 months of the end of the reference year. According to Article 3 (2) of the Commission Regulation (EC) No 862/2007, Statistics on international migration, usually resident population and acquisition of citizenship shall be supplied to the Commission (Eurostat) within 12 months of the end of the reference year.
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
Comparability - over time
Population
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.
Live births
Number of live births available since 1803.
Deaths
Number of deaths available since 1803.
Immigrants
Swiss immigrants: annual data for the period 1981-2010, 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.
Emigrants
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 occured in 2010, after the introduction of the new system of the annual census.
Acquisitions of citizenship
Changes made to the Swiss Federal Law on acquisition of Swiss nationality (1978, 1992) have had an impact on the number of people that obtain Swiss citizenship each year. The increase in the number of naturalisations is mainly due to the foreigners that have lived in Switzerland for a long period of time. These foreigners either grew up in our country or got married to a Swiss citizen. Between 1992 and 2013, the number of people issued a Swiss passport has more than tripled. And yet, only 2 out of 100 foreigners living in Switzerland have been granted Swiss citizenship in 2013. This is a small percentage compared to other countries.
Since 1803. Historical data taken from the publication “Historical Statistics of Switzerland” (Chronos, 1996) and the annual publications on Vital statistics (in French: “Mouvement de la Population de la Suisse”). The rest of the data comes from the Vital statistics.
Infant deaths
Since 1803. Historical data taken from the publication “Historical Statistics of Switzerland” (Chronos, 1996) and the annual publications on Vital statistics (in French: “Mouvement de la Population de la Suisse”). The rest of the data comes from the Vital statistics.
Marriages
Since 1801. Historical data taken from the publication “Historical Statistics of Switzerland” (Chronos, 1996) and the annual publications on Vital statistics (in French: “Mouvement de la Population de la Suisse”). The rest of the data comes from the Vital statistics.
Divorces
Since 1876. Historical data taken from the publication “Historical Statistics of Switzerland” (Chronos, 1996) and the annual publications on Vital statistics (in French: “Mouvement de la Population de la Suisse”). The rest of the data comes from the Vital statistics.
Surface in km2
Not available.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
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.
Incoherence concerning residence permit statistics can only occur between data delivered by the Federal Statstical Office and data eventually delivered by State Secretariate for Migration, but not in the data from one same institution.
Additional information according to the letter/email from 30 October 2018:
The differences between Residence Permits Statistics and International Migration Statistics: International Migration and Residence Permits flow and stock data are not identical due to different population definitions and incoherencies between the data sources used for compiling these statistics.
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 for data 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
Evaluation report of the new census system including its statistics/surveys such as STATPOP, BEVNAT etc.:
Normally, data published are considered definitive and there is no revision.
18.1. Source data
List of data sources
Population
Cantonal and communal population registers, and federal registers of persons.
Live births
Civil status registers.
Deaths
Civil status registers.
Immigrants
Cantonal and communal population registers, and federal registers of persons.
Emigrants
Cantonal and communal population registers, and federal registers of persons.
Acquisitions of citizenship
Cantonal and communal population registers, and federal registers of persons.
Loss of citizenship
Cantonal and communal population registers, and federal registers of persons.
Legally induced abortions
Data are collected by cantonal physicians.
Late foetal deaths
Civil status registers.
Infant deaths
Civil status registers.
Marriages
Civil status registers.
Divorces
Civil status registers.
Surface in km2
The Federal Office of Topography Swisstopo.
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 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 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.
Vital events are registered in the system Infostar of the Federal Civil Registry Office, according to the Ordinance on Civil Status of 28 April 2004 (CC 211.112.2).
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).
Annual structural survey.
18.4. Data validation
Absolute figures received from the administrative 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. 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 adjusted.
No comment.
Data and metadata are transmitted to Eurostat by the Member States in the framework of the Unified Demographic Data Collection which is in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 862/2007 and Regulation (EU) No 1260/2013 and their implementing regulations.
3.4.1 Statistical concepts and definitions used in the statistics transmitted to Eurostat
1. Usually Resident Population
2. Legal Residence Population
3. Registered Residence Population
4. Other
Population
X
Live births
X
Deaths
X
Immigrants
X
Emigrants
X
Acquisitions of citizenship
X
Loss of citizenship
Not available.
Legally induced abortions
X
Late foetal deaths
X
Infant deaths
X
Marriages
X
Divorces
X
3.4.2 Statistical concepts and definitions used in the statistics disseminated in the National Statistical Institute's website
Population
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.
Live births
Live birth means the birth of a child that 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.
Deaths
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).
Immigrants
Person that arrives from another country in order to establish his/her legal residence in Switzerland, for a period of at least 12 months.
Emigrants
Person that, having previously been legally resident in Switzerland for a period of at least 12 months, leaves for another country.
Acquisitions of citizenship
Acquisition of Swiss citizenship by a person that previously was citizen of another country or stateless. This person counts as a Swiss national from the date on which they have acquired Swiss nationality. There are distinguished 5 types of acquisition of Swiss citizenship by foreign nationals:
ordinary naturalization;
facilitating naturalization;
reinstatement;
determination of the Swiss civil law;
adoption by a Swiss citizen or a Swiss citizen (for an immature foreign child).
Loss of citizenship
Loss of citizenship, also referred to as loss of nationality, is the event of ceasing to be a citizen of a country under the nationality law of that country. You can lose your Swiss citizenship under legal reasons:
if the parent-child relationship through which you acquired Swiss citizenship is severed;
if you are born abroad to a Swiss citizen but not registered with a Swiss authority by the time you reach the age of 22;
or official decree:
if you have been relieved of your Swiss citizenship at your own request;
if you have dual nationality but your Swiss citizenship is revoked as a result of conduct deemed to be seriously detrimental to the interests or the reputation of Switzerland.
Legally induced abortions
Since 2002, women may terminate a pregnancy during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy of her own free will. After the 13th week, a doctor must show that the abortion is necessary to prevent danger to the woman's life or physical health or to prevent serious emotional distress. The risk must be greater the more advanced the pregnancy is (no time limit). Data refer to abortions carried out in Switzerland among women living in Switzerland. Reference: Swiss Criminal Code – Legal abortion Art. 119.
Late foetal deaths
The expulsion or extraction from the mother of a dead fetus. Until 2004, the definition of late fetal death was a fetus with a size from at least 30 cm. Since 2005, minimal gestation period of 22 weeks or minimal fetal weight of 500 g.
Infant deaths
“Infant death” means the death of a live-born infant (irrespective of gestational age or birthweight) that has not yet completed 1 year of life.
Marriages
Approved public act which has resulted in a marriage, i.e. a permanent cohabitation of two persons.
Same-sex couples can marry or convert their registered partnership into a marriage from 1 July 2022.
Divorces
Legal dissolution of a marriage. The divorce can be done on the common desire of both spouses or on complaint of a spouse.
3.4.3 Differences in statistical concepts and definitions between the statistics transmitted to Eurostat and those disseminated in the National Statistics Institute's website
Population
Not applicable.
Live births
Not applicable.
Deaths
Not applicable.
Immigrants
Not applicable.
Emigrants
Not applicable.
Acquisitions of citizenship
Not applicable.
Loss of citizenship
Not applicable.
Legally induced abortions
Not applicable.
Late foetal deaths
Not applicable.
Infant deaths
Not applicable.
Marriages
Not applicable.
Divorces
Not applicable.
Number of persons.
Statistical population
Population
Not applicable.
Live births
Not applicable.
Deaths
Not applicable.
Immigrants
Not applicable.
Emigrants
Not applicable.
Acquisitions of citizenship
Not applicable.
Loss of citizenship
Not applicable.
Legally induced abortions
Not applicable.
Late foetal deaths
Not applicable.
Infant deaths
Not applicable.
Marriages
Not applicable.
Divorces
Not applicable.
Population, live births and deaths data are available at national and regional 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 and dual 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.
Overall accuracy and special cases (Inclusion/exclusion of asylum seekers and refugees, persons living on unauthorised or irregular basis, international students, persons who do not register/deregister,...)
Population
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.
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 are included in the usual resident population. Recognized refugees are always included in the usual resident population. “Population” therefore includes all refugees and a subset of asylum seekers (those present for at least 12 months).
In Switzerland, different laws 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.
One of the reasons behind the category “unknown” in the different breakdowns is that the person has not provided any information in the register. The data, thus, shall not be considered as incorrect, and the data producers do not correct the unknown values.
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. Data include all refugees and those asylum seekers with a duration of residence of at least 12 months.
One of the reasons behind the category “unknown” in the different breakdowns is that the person has not provided any information in the register. The data, thus, shall not be considered as incorrect, and the data producers do not correct the unknown values.
Deaths
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. Data include all refugees and those asylum seekers with a duration of residence of at least 12 months.
One of the reasons behind the category “unknown” in the different breakdowns is that the person has not provided any information in the register. The data, thus, shall not be considered as incorrect, and the data producers do not correct the unknown values.
Immigrants
The source for data on vital events, migration and population stock data are population registers (inhabitants and migrants) and civil status registers. They cover the whole population, with the possible exception of parts of the roofless, vagrant and nomad population. Asylum seekers are counted as immigrants in the calendar year in which their duration of residence reaches one year (i.e. not necessarily in the year in which they actually immigrated).
The latter also applies to persons fleeing from Ukraine since March 2022 and receiving temporary protection. They are also counted as immigrants and part of the permanent resident population after 12 months of stay in Switzerland.
When a person arrives in Switzerland and obtains a S, F or N permit, the person is counted in 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), his/her F, S or N permit is renewed and the person is then counted in the permanent resident population. It is at this point that this transition is counted as ‘immigration’. Strictly speaking, it is not immigration but rather a change from one population to another. We therefore count immigration when someone becomes a permanent resident, whether because of his/her permit or the length of his/her stay.
Emigrants
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.
Acquisitions of citizenship
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.
One of the reasons behind the category “unknown” in the different breakdowns is that the person has not provided any information in the register. The data, thus, shall not be considered as incorrect, and the data producers do not correct the unknown values.
Loss of citizenship
Not applicable.
Legally induced abortions
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.
Late foetal deaths
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.
Infant deaths
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.
Marriages
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.
Divorces
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.
Data is collected at unit (person) level.
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).
List of data sources
Population
Cantonal and communal population registers, and federal registers of persons.
Live births
Civil status registers.
Deaths
Civil status registers.
Immigrants
Cantonal and communal population registers, and federal registers of persons.
Emigrants
Cantonal and communal population registers, and federal registers of persons.
Acquisitions of citizenship
Cantonal and communal population registers, and federal registers of persons.
Loss of citizenship
Cantonal and communal population registers, and federal registers of persons.
Legally induced abortions
Data are collected by cantonal physicians.
Late foetal deaths
Civil status registers.
Infant deaths
Civil status registers.
Marriages
Civil status registers.
Divorces
Civil status registers.
Surface in km2
The Federal Office of Topography Swisstopo.
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 yearly.
Weekly deaths, published every Tuesday.
According to Article 4 (2) of the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 205/2014, each year Member States shall provide the Commission (Eurostat) with data at national and regional level as described in Annex II and related standard reference metadata ( In the metadata structure definition defined for the Euro SDMX Metadata Structure) for the reference year within 12 months of the end of the reference year. According to Article 3 (2) of the Commission Regulation (EC) No 862/2007, Statistics on international migration, usually resident population and acquisition of citizenship shall be supplied to the Commission (Eurostat) within 12 months of the end of the reference year.
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.
Comparability - over time
Population
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.
Live births
Number of live births available since 1803.
Deaths
Number of deaths available since 1803.
Immigrants
Swiss immigrants: annual data for the period 1981-2010, 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.
Emigrants
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 occured in 2010, after the introduction of the new system of the annual census.
Acquisitions of citizenship
Changes made to the Swiss Federal Law on acquisition of Swiss nationality (1978, 1992) have had an impact on the number of people that obtain Swiss citizenship each year. The increase in the number of naturalisations is mainly due to the foreigners that have lived in Switzerland for a long period of time. These foreigners either grew up in our country or got married to a Swiss citizen. Between 1992 and 2013, the number of people issued a Swiss passport has more than tripled. And yet, only 2 out of 100 foreigners living in Switzerland have been granted Swiss citizenship in 2013. This is a small percentage compared to other countries.
Since 1803. Historical data taken from the publication “Historical Statistics of Switzerland” (Chronos, 1996) and the annual publications on Vital statistics (in French: “Mouvement de la Population de la Suisse”). The rest of the data comes from the Vital statistics.
Infant deaths
Since 1803. Historical data taken from the publication “Historical Statistics of Switzerland” (Chronos, 1996) and the annual publications on Vital statistics (in French: “Mouvement de la Population de la Suisse”). The rest of the data comes from the Vital statistics.
Marriages
Since 1801. Historical data taken from the publication “Historical Statistics of Switzerland” (Chronos, 1996) and the annual publications on Vital statistics (in French: “Mouvement de la Population de la Suisse”). The rest of the data comes from the Vital statistics.
Divorces
Since 1876. Historical data taken from the publication “Historical Statistics of Switzerland” (Chronos, 1996) and the annual publications on Vital statistics (in French: “Mouvement de la Population de la Suisse”). The rest of the data comes from the Vital statistics.
