What does it mean to exceed 65+ compared to <20 for the Swiss pension system?

It means that the ratio between pensioners and active workers is shrinking. In 2025, there are 32.8 older people per 100 people of working age (20-64 years). This increases the financial pressure on AVS and LPP. Natural population growth (only 8% of total growth) is insufficient to compensate for ageing, making immigration crucial to maintaining the number of taxpayers. However, the migration balance fell by 14.9% in 2025, creating a structural challenge for the long-term sustainability of Swiss social security systems.

Which cantons are most affected by demographic ageing?

In 17 of the 26 Swiss cantons, the population of 65+ is now higher than that of 0-19 years old. The cantons with an even younger demographic profile are Vaud, Geneva, Freiburg, Zurich, Zug, Lucerne, Aargau, St. Gallen and Thurgau. In the older cantons, the demand for health and welfare services will be higher, with possible implications on cantonal taxes. Schaffhausen recorded the largest population growth (+1.6% in 2025), while Uri saw the largest increase in the foreign population (+4.3%).

Why did the migration balance fall by 14.9% in 2025?

The migration balance contracted from 82,800 in 2024 to 70,400 in 2025 due to a decrease in immigration (-3.9%) and an increase in emigration (+3.1%). Among the factors: lower attractiveness of the Swiss labour market, economic changes in European countries of origin (Germany 12.9%, France 10.1%, Italy 9.1%), and an increasing flow of Swiss leaving the country (22% of total emigration). Despite the decline, the migration balance remains the main driver of growth (+92% of total growth in 2025).

How does internal mobility between cantons change in this scenario?

Internal mobility is falling: 56 displacements per 1,000 inhabitants in 2025, compared to 61 ten years ago (511,200 total internal migrations). Foreigners remain more mobile (80 trips per 1,000 foreigners) than Swiss people (47 per 1,000). The decline is particularly marked among the Swiss from 2021 onwards, probably linked to housing difficulties and moving costs. For employers, this means a less mobile local talent pool and greater need for wage competitiveness to retain staff.

What nationality is still immigrating to Switzerland?

In 2025, migration flows to Switzerland (204,300 total people) are led by: Germans (12.9%), Swiss returnees (11.3%), French (10.1%) and Italians (9.1%). In terms of emigration (133,800 people in total), the Swiss (22%) are in the lead, followed by the Germans (9%), the Portuguese (7.9%), the Italians (7.9%) and the French (7.4%). This profile suggests that Switzerland continues to attract talent from neighbouring European countries, but a significant portion of Swiss are looking for opportunities abroad.

Demographic slowdown in 2025: +0.8% (cross-border guide)

Q: What does it mean to exceed 65+ compared to <20 for the Swiss pension system?

It means that the ratio between pensioners and active workers is shrinking. In 2025, there are 32.8 older people per 100 people of working age (20-64 years). This increases the financial pressure on AVS and LPP. Natural population growth (only 8% of total growth) is insufficient to compensate for ageing, making immigration crucial to maintaining the number of taxpayers. However, the migration balance fell by 14.9% in 2025, creating a structural challenge for the long-term sustainability of Swiss social security systems.

Q: Which cantons are most affected by demographic ageing?

In 17 of the 26 Swiss cantons, the population of 65+ is now higher than that of 0-19 years old. The cantons with an even younger demographic profile are Vaud, Geneva, Freiburg, Zurich, Zug, Lucerne, Aargau, St. Gallen and Thurgau. In the older cantons, the demand for health and welfare services will be higher, with possible implications on cantonal taxes. Schaffhausen recorded the largest population growth (+1.6% in 2025), while Uri saw the largest increase in the foreign population (+4.3%).

Q: Why did the migration balance fall by 14.9% in 2025?

The migration balance contracted from 82,800 in 2024 to 70,400 in 2025 due to a decrease in immigration (-3.9%) and an increase in emigration (+3.1%). Among the factors: lower attractiveness of the Swiss labour market, economic changes in European countries of origin (Germany 12.9%, France 10.1%, Italy 9.1%), and an increasing flow of Swiss leaving the country (22% of total emigration). Despite the decline, the migration balance remains the main driver of growth (+92% of total growth in 2025).

Q: How does internal mobility between cantons change in this scenario?

Internal mobility is falling: 56 displacements per 1,000 inhabitants in 2025, compared to 61 ten years ago (511,200 total internal migrations). Foreigners remain more mobile (80 trips per 1,000 foreigners) than Swiss people (47 per 1,000). The decline is particularly marked among the Swiss from 2021 onwards, probably linked to housing difficulties and moving costs. For employers, this means a less mobile local talent pool and greater need for wage competitiveness to retain staff.

Q: What nationality is still immigrating to Switzerland?

In 2025, migration flows to Switzerland (204,300 total people) are led by: Germans (12.9%), Swiss returnees (11.3%), French (10.1%) and Italians (9.1%). In terms of emigration (133,800 people in total), the Swiss (22%) are in the lead, followed by the Germans (9%), the Portuguese (7.9%), the Italians (7.9%) and the French (7.4%). This profile suggests that Switzerland continues to attract talent from neighbouring European countries, but a significant portion of Swiss are looking for opportunities abroad.

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 20 August 2026

Aerial view of Swiss city with people of different ages representing demographic aging

As of December 31, 2025, Switzerland has 9.127 million inhabitants. Growth slows to 0.8%, the elderly outnumber the young for the first time. Implications on AVS, LPP and welfare.

Context

In a nutshell

Population 9,127 million at 31/12/2025: growth +0.8% (slowdown vs 1.0% 2024)
Elderly (65+) outnumber young people (<20) for the first time: 1,810,600 vs 1,804,500
Migration balance falls by 14.9%; internal mobility falls (56 vs 61 displacements per 1,000 inhabitants)
Migration down 3.9%, emigration up 3.1% compared to 2024

Key facts

What: Definitive demographic data 2025 from the Federal Statistical Office
When: 31 December 2025 (press release 20 August 2026)
Where: Switzerland, all 26 cantons
Who: UST (Federal Statistical Office)
Inhabitants: 9,127,100 (+0.8% per year)
Elderly (65+): 1,810,600 (outnumber young people <20 for the first time)
Migration balance: 70,400 (-14.9% compared to 2024)

Switzerland closes 2025 with 9,127,100 permanent residents. According to the final data of the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), population growth continues but at a significantly slower pace: +0.8% compared to 2024 (+1.0%) and 2023 (+1.7%). This slowdown reflects a year characterized by less immigration and more emigration, confirming the trends observed in the provisional data released in April 2026.

The profile of the population is transformed. Among the 9,127 million inhabitants, 6,599,000 have Swiss nationality (72%), while 2,528,100 are foreigners (28%). In 2025, the Swiss population grew by 27,900 people (+0.4%), while the foreign population increased by 48,200 people (+1.9%).

Operational details

Internal mobility on the decline

Alongside comprehensive demographic data, the UST has provided information on population mobility within the Swiss territory. In 2025, 511,200 internal migrations were recorded: 358,000 intracantonal (within the same canton) and 153,200 intercantonal (between different cantons). When related to the number of inhabitants, these numbers highlight a trend of slowdown: only 56 movements per 1,000 inhabitants in 2025, compared to 61 per 1,000 inhabitants ten years earlier. This decline in internal mobility affects both nationality groups, albeit in different ways. In 2025, foreign people maintain a higher mobility compared to Swiss citizens (80 movements per 1,000 foreigners, against 47 per 1,000 Swiss citizens). However, it is precisely among Swiss citizens that the decline in mobility is more marked from 2021 onwards, suggesting growing residential stability or possible economic constraints related to housing costs.

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Key points

Planning for retirement in a context of aging

The demographic implications presented by the UST data have a direct relevance for those planning their own retirement. With a growing life expectancy and an increasingly unfavorable ratio between active and pensioners, it is essential not to rely solely on the AVS guarantee. The contribution rates for the second pillar (LPP) vary by age group: from 7% between 25 and 34 years, to 10% between 35 and 44 years, to 15% between 45 and 54 years, up to 18% after 55 years up to the reference age. This means that the last years of career require a significantly higher contribution effort.

Anyone in one of the higher age groups should check if their LPP rate is correct and if the accumulated capital is sufficient. It is equally important to evaluate the opening of a third pillar account (3a) to integrate the obligatory pension. These tools allow for federal and cantonal tax deductions, reducing the tax burden while accumulating additional capital for retirement.

Cost of living and housing dynamics

The slowdown in demographic growth does not necessarily mean a decline in the cost of living in Switzerland. Rather, aging of the population implies a reconfiguration of housing demand: fewer expanding family units, more pensioners seeking housing solutions tailored to their needs. This phenomenon is reflected in property prices and rents at the local level, with marked variations between cantons. The cantons with the youngest population (Vaud, Geneva, Fribourg, Zurich) are likely to continue exerting pressure on prices, while those with more elderly populations may see emerging housing opportunities at a lower price.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to exceed 65+ compared to <20 for the Swiss pension system?: It means that the ratio between pensioners and active workers is shrinking. In 2025, there are 32.8 older people per 100 people of working age (20-64 years). This increases the financial pressure on AVS and LPP. Natural population growth (only 8% of total growth) is insufficient to compensate for ageing, making immigration crucial to maintaining the number of taxpayers. However, the migration balance fell by 14.9% in 2025, creating a structural challenge for the long-term sustainability of Swiss
Which cantons are most affected by demographic ageing?: In 17 of the 26 Swiss cantons, the population of 65+ is now higher than that of 0-19 years old. The cantons with an even younger demographic profile are Vaud, Geneva, Freiburg, Zurich, Zug, Lucerne, Aargau, St. Gallen and Thurgau. In the older cantons, the demand for health and welfare services will be higher, with possible implications on cantonal taxes. Schaffhausen recorded the largest population growth (+1.6% in 2025), while Uri saw the largest increase in the foreign population (+4.3%).
Why did the migration balance fall by 14.9% in 2025?: The migration balance contracted from 82,800 in 2024 to 70,400 in 2025 due to a decrease in immigration (-3.9%) and an increase in emigration (+3.1%). Among the factors: lower attractiveness of the Swiss labour market, economic changes in European countries of origin (Germany 12.9%, France 10.1%, Italy 9.1%), and an increasing flow of Swiss leaving the country (22% of total emigration). Despite the decline, the migration balance remains the main driver of growth (+92% of total growth in 2025).
How does internal mobility between cantons change in this scenario?: Internal mobility is falling: 56 displacements per 1,000 inhabitants in 2025, compared to 61 ten years ago (511,200 total internal migrations). Foreigners remain more mobile (80 trips per 1,000 foreigners) than Swiss people (47 per 1,000). The decline is particularly marked among the Swiss from 2021 onwards, probably linked to housing difficulties and moving costs. For employers, this means a less mobile local talent pool and greater need for wage competitiveness to retain staff.
What nationality is still immigrating to Switzerland?: In 2025, migration flows to Switzerland (204,300 total people) are led by: Germans (12.9%), Swiss returnees (11.3%), French (10.1%) and Italians (9.1%). In terms of emigration (133,800 people in total), the Swiss (22%) are in the lead, followed by the Germans (9%), the Portuguese (7.9%), the Italians (7.9%) and the French (7.4%). This profile suggests that Switzerland continues to attract talent from neighbouring European countries, but a significant portion of Swiss are looking for opportunitie