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.
Sektion Finanzen, Amtsplanung, Controlling und Statistik (SFACTS)
1.3. Contact name
Confidential because of GDPR
1.4. Contact person function
Confidential because of GDPR
1.5. Contact mail address
Sägestrasse 77, 3098 Köniz, 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
18 September 2024
2.2. Metadata last posted
19 September 2024
2.3. Metadata last update
15 September 2025
3.1. Data description
Data collection on asylum statistics contains statistical information based on the Article 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 of Regulation (EC) No 862/2007 on Community statistics on migration and international protection.
Asylum applications:
Asylum, first time and subsequent applicants by citizenship, age and sex (also for unaccompanied minors);
Persons subject of asylum applications pending at the end of month by citizenship, age and sex (also for unaccompanied minors);
Asylum applications withdrawn by citizenship, age, sex and type of withdrawal (also for unaccompanied minors);
Asylum applicants having had their applications processed under the accelerated procedure by citizenship, age and sex (also for unaccompanied minors);
Applicants having benefited from material reception conditions at the end of the reference year;
Asylum applicants considered to be unaccompanied minors by citizenship, age and sex.
Decisions on asylum applications:
First instance decisions on applications by citizenship, age, sex and type of decision (also for unaccompanied minors);
Decisions withdrawing status granted at first instance decision by citizenship, type of decision and type of reason (also for unaccompanied minors);
Final decisions in appeal or review on applications by citizenship, age, sex and type of decision (also for unaccompanied minors);
Decisions withdrawing status granted as final decision in appeal or review by citizenship, type of decision and type of reason (also for unaccompanied minors).
Resettled persons:
Resettled persons by citizenship, age and sex (also for unaccompanied minors);
Resettled persons by citizenship, age, sex and country of previous residence;
Resettled persons by citizenship, age, sex and type of decision;
Resettled persons by citizenship, age, sex and resettlement framework.
In March 2022, the European Commission activated the Temporary Protection Directive 2001/55/EC for people from Ukraine seeking refuge.
Temporary protection:
Decisions granting temporary protection by citizenship, age and sex (also for unaccompanied minors);
Beneficiaries of temporary protection at the end of the month by citizenship, age and sex (also for unaccompanied minors).
3.2. Classification system
Same as Eurostat.
Reason for the withdrawal of the asylum decision due to refuse to renew is not applicable.
Country of previous residence for resettled persons is not available.
See table 3.2. in annex ‘Quality report tables Asylum’.
3.3. Coverage - sector
Migration and asylum – Asylum statistics.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
Similar definition as Eurostat.
First-instance negative decisions are defined as one first-instance negative decision per new application submitted within a given quarter. If an appeal is lodged during the same quarter, the decision immediately preceding the appeal date is counted as the first-instance decision for that quarter; any decision rendered after the appeal is excluded from the first-instance count.
See table 3.4 in annex 'Quality report tables Asylum'.
3.5. Statistical unit
Persons.
3.6. Statistical population
Foreigners and stateless persons.
See table 3.6. in annex ‘Quality report tables Asylum’.
3.7. Reference area
Switzerland
3.8. Coverage - Time
Time coverage according to Regulation (EC) No 862/2007, from January 2008, eventually January 2021.
See table 3.8. in annex ‘Quality report tables Asylum’.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
Number of persons.
Calendar month, calendar quarter and calendar year.
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
The Ordinance on the execution of federal statistical surveys (Ordonnance sur les relevés statistiques) provides the comprehensive legal framework for the collection, processing, and dissemination of federal statistics in Switzerland. This ordinance regulates the execution of statistical surveys and the treatment of collected data, ensuring adherence to national and international statistical principles, including professional independence, objectivity, and confidentiality.
Under Article 3b, the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) coordinates cooperation with the statistical service of the European Commission (Eurostat), approving the annual EU-Switzerland statistical program in agreement with relevant federal bodies, as per the Agreement of 26 October 2004 between the Swiss Confederation and the European Community on cooperation in the field of statistics.
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
Data sharing is governed by the Ordinance concerning the execution of federal statistical surveys (RS 431.012.1). The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) collects data on migration according to uniform rules throughout Switzerland. This data is sent to the SEM, where it is controlled and verified monthly.
The SEM coordinates with Eurostat in accordance with European Regulation (EC) No 862/2007, which outlines the rules for the collection and compilation of Community statistics on migration and international protection. This ensures that data sharing and exchange are consistent and comply with both national and European standards.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) ensures the confidentiality of data through legislative measures and formal procedures. According to the Ordinance concerning the execution of federal statistical surveys (Ordonnance sur les relevés statistiques, RS 431.012.1), Article 3a stipulates that responsible agencies must observe recognized national and international statistical principles, including professional independence, objectivity, and statistical confidentiality. Furthermore, Article 7 mandates that all persons and services involved in executing surveys must treat the collected data confidentially, ensuring data security and preventing unauthorized disclosure. Regarding demands for access to confidential data for scientific purposes, these are subject to European regulations ((EC) No 831/2002).
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) applies specific rules to treat data and ensure statistical confidentiality, which prevents unauthorized disclosure. For aggregate outputs, any data about persons (e.g., gender, sex, nationality, residence status) is not published if the total or an intermediate total contains only 1, 2, or 3 observations, thereby maintaining individual confidentiality.
8.1. Release calendar
No calendar.
8.2. Release calendar access
Not applicable, see 8.1.
8.3. Release policy - user access
Not applicable, see 8.1.
Monthly, quarterly and annual.
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
As part of a monthly press release, the respective asylum statistics of the previous month are published on the homepage of the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) (Asylstatistik (admin.ch)).
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
Results of asylum statistics are published online. The publications can be downloaded from the homepage of the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) (Order of statistical reports (admin.ch)).
The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) ensures data quality through a systematic process involving the collection, verification, and correction of data. Data are collected according to uniform rules throughout Switzerland by the police and then sent to the SEM. The SEM conducts monthly controls and verifications of these data. If any discrepancies are identified, the data are sent back to the source for correction. Each person has a Personal Identification Number (PIN), which allows for the linkage of data within our database. This continuous monitoring, correction mechanism, and data linkage ensure the integrity and reliability of the statistical data.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
The data validation process at the SEM includes several key procedures to maintain data quality. Totals are checked for consistency to ensure that the figures match across different data sets. Visual validation techniques are employed to verify the accuracy of tables and graphs, allowing for the identification of any anomalies. Each step of data processing includes checks to maintain data integrity, ensuring that errors are prevented. Additionally, procedures are in place to exclude any double counting, ensuring that the final data are accurate and reliable. The use of PINs for data linkage further enhances the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the data. These validation processes confirm that the data collected and processed by the SEM meet high standards of quality.
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
The statistics produced by the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) are used by a wide range of users at national, European, and international levels.
National Level: Main users are national administrations, academic researchers, civil society groups, and the media. These users rely on the statistics for various purposes, including the integration of immigrants, the development and monitoring of national asylum and immigration procedures, and the projection of future population and labor force. Politicians and cantonal authorities also frequently request specific statistics, which SEM provides as much as possible to meet their needs.
European and International Level: The primary users include Eurostat, the European Commission, and international organizations such as UNHCR and OECD. These organizations use the statistics in several publications, regular reports, policy proposals, and analyses.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
No information available.
12.3. Completeness
The status of minors (applicants) is missing for first instance decisions from Q1 2021 and for asylum applicants from May 2024.
The country of previous residence is missing for resettled persons for 2021 - 2023.
See table 12.3. in annex ‘Quality report tables Asylum’.
12.3.1. Data completeness - rate
Not applicable.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
Overall high accuracy: The reported statistics measure accurately the target population because the database includes all cases. The use of the ZEMIS number and regular checks for duplicates ensure data consistency.
13.2. Sampling error
Not applicable.
13.2.1. Sampling error - indicators
Not applicable.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Not applicable.
13.3.1. Coverage error
Not applicable.
13.3.1.1. Over-coverage - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.1.2. Common units - proportion
Not applicable.
13.3.2. Measurement error
Not applicable.
13.3.3. Non response error
Not applicable.
13.3.3.1. Unit non-response - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.3.2. Item non-response - rate
Not applicable.
13.3.4. Processing error
Not applicable.
13.3.5. Model assumption error
Not applicable.
14.1. Timeliness
Asylum data are reported 15 to 30 days after the end of the reference period. This delay is due to the processes of quality assurance and data release.
14.1.1. Time lag - first result
Not applicable.
14.1.2. Time lag - final result
Not applicable.
14.2. Punctuality
Data are delivered on time.
See table 14.2. in annex ‘Quality report tables Asylum’.
14.2.1. Punctuality - delivery and publication
Not applicable.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
Statistics are comparable across all regions of Switzerland. The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) is in charge of accumulating and processing data related to migration for the national territory.
15.1.1. Asymmetry for mirror flow statistics - coefficient
Not applicable.
15.2. Comparability - over time
Data are comparable over time.
The figures for rejected first-instance decisions (A04), refugee status decisions (A05), subsidiary protection decisions (A06) and humanitarian protection decisions (A08) were revised for 2008 Q1–2024 Q4 in May 2025 to correct under-reporting of first-instance decisions in cases with subsequent appeals and to re-include Dublin-transfers decisions previously excluded.
See table 15.2. in annex ‘Quality report tables Asylum’.
15.2.1. Length of comparable time series
Not applicable.
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Not available.
15.3.1. Coherence - sub annual and annual statistics
Statistics are coherent.
15.3.2. Coherence - National Accounts
Not applicable.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Statistics are consistent within a given dataset.
Not available.
17.1. Data revision - policy
The internal data revision policy follows a continuous annual review cycle: all time series are re-examined each spring and any conceptual or reporting errors are corrected retrospectively.
A comprehensive review of minor-status data will be completed in 2025.
17.2. Data revision - practice
In May 2025, a full revision of A04 (rejected first-instance decisions), A05 (refugee status decisions), A06 (subsidiary protection decisions) and A08 (humanitarian protection decisions) for the period 2008 Q1–2024 Q4 was conducted. Corrections addressed under-reporting of first-instance decisions in cases with later appeals and reinstated Dublin-transfer decisions omitted in earlier vintage data.
See table 17.2. in annex ‘Quality report tables Asylum’.
17.2.1. Data revision - average size
Not applicable.
18.1. Source data
Central Migration Information System (ZEMIS).
See table 18.1. in annex ‘Quality report tables Asylum’.
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Monthly, quarterly and annually.
18.3. Data collection
A national systematic process is followed to gather data for official statistics.
18.4. Data validation
The following checks are performed to ensure data validity:
Checks of totals consistency.
Using visual validation (visual verification of the tables or the graph resulted).
Checking the data integrity over each processing step.
Checking if the double counting cases are excluded.
Data collection on asylum statistics contains statistical information based on the Article 4.1, 4.2 and 4.3 of Regulation (EC) No 862/2007 on Community statistics on migration and international protection.
Asylum applications:
Asylum, first time and subsequent applicants by citizenship, age and sex (also for unaccompanied minors);
Persons subject of asylum applications pending at the end of month by citizenship, age and sex (also for unaccompanied minors);
Asylum applications withdrawn by citizenship, age, sex and type of withdrawal (also for unaccompanied minors);
Asylum applicants having had their applications processed under the accelerated procedure by citizenship, age and sex (also for unaccompanied minors);
Applicants having benefited from material reception conditions at the end of the reference year;
Asylum applicants considered to be unaccompanied minors by citizenship, age and sex.
Decisions on asylum applications:
First instance decisions on applications by citizenship, age, sex and type of decision (also for unaccompanied minors);
Decisions withdrawing status granted at first instance decision by citizenship, type of decision and type of reason (also for unaccompanied minors);
Final decisions in appeal or review on applications by citizenship, age, sex and type of decision (also for unaccompanied minors);
Decisions withdrawing status granted as final decision in appeal or review by citizenship, type of decision and type of reason (also for unaccompanied minors).
Resettled persons:
Resettled persons by citizenship, age and sex (also for unaccompanied minors);
Resettled persons by citizenship, age, sex and country of previous residence;
Resettled persons by citizenship, age, sex and type of decision;
Resettled persons by citizenship, age, sex and resettlement framework.
In March 2022, the European Commission activated the Temporary Protection Directive 2001/55/EC for people from Ukraine seeking refuge.
Temporary protection:
Decisions granting temporary protection by citizenship, age and sex (also for unaccompanied minors);
Beneficiaries of temporary protection at the end of the month by citizenship, age and sex (also for unaccompanied minors).
15 September 2025
Similar definition as Eurostat.
First-instance negative decisions are defined as one first-instance negative decision per new application submitted within a given quarter. If an appeal is lodged during the same quarter, the decision immediately preceding the appeal date is counted as the first-instance decision for that quarter; any decision rendered after the appeal is excluded from the first-instance count.
See table 3.4 in annex 'Quality report tables Asylum'.
Persons.
Foreigners and stateless persons.
See table 3.6. in annex ‘Quality report tables Asylum’.
Switzerland
Calendar month, calendar quarter and calendar year.
Overall high accuracy: The reported statistics measure accurately the target population because the database includes all cases. The use of the ZEMIS number and regular checks for duplicates ensure data consistency.
Number of persons.
Not available.
Central Migration Information System (ZEMIS).
See table 18.1. in annex ‘Quality report tables Asylum’.
Monthly, quarterly and annual.
Asylum data are reported 15 to 30 days after the end of the reference period. This delay is due to the processes of quality assurance and data release.
Statistics are comparable across all regions of Switzerland. The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) is in charge of accumulating and processing data related to migration for the national territory.
Data are comparable over time.
The figures for rejected first-instance decisions (A04), refugee status decisions (A05), subsidiary protection decisions (A06) and humanitarian protection decisions (A08) were revised for 2008 Q1–2024 Q4 in May 2025 to correct under-reporting of first-instance decisions in cases with subsequent appeals and to re-include Dublin-transfers decisions previously excluded.
See table 15.2. in annex ‘Quality report tables Asylum’.
