Slightly Higher Birth Rates and Earlier Motherhoods Among Women of Foreign Origin

In the years leading up to the survey (2018-2020), Swiss women had an average of nearly 1.4 children per woman. The survey indicates a variation in this metric, ranging between 1.8 and 1.9 children for those of foreign origin. Thus, the fertility rates among foreign women are higher than those of Swiss women, although they still remain below the critical threshold of 2.1 children per woman which would guarantee the natural renewal of the population. Additionally, the data indicate that women of foreign origin also tend to give birth at an earlier age in life than their Swiss counterparts.

Fertility rates between 2018 and 2020, by nationality

Source: Migration-Mobility Survey 2022 and BEVNAT statistics. Weighted totals. Calculations based on women aged 20 to 49.