During the first partial lockdown in Spring 2020, foreign nationals living in Switzerland experienced a comparable effect on labor market participation to Swiss nationals.

Although only 2% of the foreign residents lost their jobs, over a third had to transition to remote work. Entrepreneurs and self-employed people encountered more challenges than employees, on average. Low-skilled foreign workers were disproportionately affected compared to their high-skilled counterparts.

How did self-employed workers answer this question in the MMS 2022?

Where did migrants stay during the pandemic?

How did foreign residents feel about living in Switzerland during the pandemic?

Did the pandemic affect the migrants’ plans to stay in Switzerland?

Did local residents demonstrate empathy towards migrants?

Sources: Migration-Mobility Survey 2020, nccr – on the move

Note on methodology: These figures are taken from the Migration-Mobility Survey, conducted in fall 2020 on a population of persons born abroad and with foreign citizenship who have moved to Switzerland in the last 14 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. 7,393 people replied to the full questionnaire, either online or by telephone.

The question asked: Which impact did the partial lockdown [in spring 2020] have on your professional situation in Switzerland?
– I kept my job, but had to telework.
– I had to temporarily reduce my work time.
– I was temporarily put out of work.
– I lost my job, as an employee.

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: 3 July 2023