Among the respondents in the Migration-Mobility Survey, 54% reported experiencing discrimination at some frequency (rarely, sometimes or frequently) in the past two years. Discrimination was defined as feeling treated less favorably than others due to personal characteristics such as immigrant origin or ethnic affiliation.

The groups most affected by these experiences were individuals from Portugal (67%), India (60%) and South America (59%), whereas only 37% of Austrians reported instances of discrimination.

There is relatively limited variation based on individual characteristics.

Are migrants satisfied with their decision to move to Switzerland?

Have migrants experienced discrimination due to the COVID-19 outbreak?

Source: Migration-Mobility Survey 2022, nccr – on the move

Note on methodology: These figures are taken from the Migration-Mobility Survey, conducted in fall 2022 on a population of persons born abroad and with foreign citizenship who have moved to Switzerland in the last 16 years. To be included in the sample population, respondents had to be between 24 and 64 years of age at the time of the survey, and at least 18 years of age on their arrival in Switzerland. 7,206 people replied to the full questionnaire, either online or by telephone.

The question asked: Discrimination means that a person is treated less favorably than other people because of different characteristics. Have you experienced situations of prejudice or discrimination in Switzerland in the last 24 months?

Note: The “country of origin” was as declared by the respondent. In most cases, it was the same as their country of nationality or one of their countries of nationality.

Terms of use: The Migration-Mobility Indicators are made available free of charge for non-commercial use. We ask the users to acknowledge the source.

Suggested citation: nccr – on the move, Migration-Mobility Indicators. Neuchâtel: nccr – on the move, 2023.

For more information about the data sets used, please click here.

Last update: 14 July 2023