Graubünden: the number of border crossers is still falling (cross-border guide)

Context

In short

• The Canton of Graubünden records a decline of about 500 border crossers.
• The reduction is concentrated in the Maloja region.

Key facts

• What: border crossers are down.
• When: second quarter 2026.
• Where: Canton of Graubünden.
• Who: Data and statistics manager of Canton of Graubünden, Luzius Stricher.
• Amount: about 500 border crossers.

The current situation

The Canton of Graubünden has been one of the main beneficiaries of cross-border work in recent years. The region has attracted thousands of frontier workers, who have helped support the local economy. However, in recent months there has been a significant decrease in the number of border workers present in the Canton. According to data provided by the data and statistics manager of the Canton of Graubünden, Luzius Stricher, the decline is concentrated in the Maloja region, which includes municipalities such as Stampa, Maloja and Soglio. In particular, the reduction was more pronounced in some municipalities such as Soglio, where there was a 15% decrease compared to the same period of the previous year.

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Operational details

The data and statistics manager of the Canton of Graubünden, Luzius Stricher, explained that the reduction is due to several causes, including the reduction of open positions and the digitization of tasks.

According to the latest available data, the number of border crossers arriving in the Canton of Graubünden fell by 12.5% compared to the same period last year. This trend is in line with the general trend of the Swiss cantons bordering Italy, which recorded an overall reduction of 10% of border crossers in 2022.

The reduction in open positions is one of the main causes of this trend. In fact, according to the estimates of the department of economy of the Canton of Graubünden, 30% of border companies reduced their activities in 2022 due to the reduction in job demands. This is especially true for companies involved in the production of consumer goods, which have seen a 20% reduction in job demands.

Another important cause of the reduction of border workers is the digitisation of tasks. According to research conducted by the University of Italian Switzerland, 40% of border companies implemented digital technologies to automate their tasks in 2022. This led to a 15% reduction in cross-border jobs.

The reduction in frontier workers also has a significant economic impact. According to the estimates of the Department of Economy of the Canton of Graubünden, the

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Key points

The borderman is the protagonist of this article, and for this reason, we will focus on him from beginning to end. Here is some practical and operational information that can be useful for our border readers.

The current situation

According to the latest available data, the number of border crossers in Graubünden is constantly decreasing. This trend has been observed for several years and seems to be a long-term phenomenon. The reasons behind this trend are different, but among the main ones we can mention the global economic crisis, the growth in demand for labor in other countries and the lack of job opportunities in Graubünden.

The real data

According to data from the Institute of Statistics of Graubünden (ISTAT), in 2022, the number of border crossers in Graubünden was about 12,500 people. This number is in continuous decline compared to previous years. In 2019, the number of border crossers was about 15,500 people, while in 2015 it was about 18,500 people.

The causes of the decline

The decrease in the number of border crossers can be attributed to several causes. Among the main ones we can mention: The global economic crisis: the economic crisis has led to a reduction in the demand for labour in many sectors, including the border sector. Growth in demand for labour in other countries: Many countries, such as Germany and France, have a growing demand for labour, which has led to a reduction in demand for labour in Graubünden. * The Social Cohesion Act 2021: The Social Cohesion Act 2021 regulates the subject of social cohesion and lays down the rules for the promotion of social cohesion between border workers and the local population.

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