The Migration-Mobility Survey

Immigration plays a role in shaping Swiss society and contributes to our economic and social development. To provide a better understanding of migrant flows and the circumstances of foreigners living in Switzerland, the nccr – on the move conducts the Migration-Mobility Survey.

The Migration-Mobility Survey is conducted every two years with the aim of providing valuable data for improving the reception and integration of foreign nationals in Switzerland.

The first round of the survey was conducted in the fall of 2016 on a population of persons born abroad and with foreign citizenship who have moved to Switzerland in the last ten years. To be eligible for the survey, respondents had to be between the age of 24 and 64 at the time of the survey, and at least 18 years when they arrived in Switzerland. A total of 5,973 people replied to the full questionnaire, either online or by telephone. The second wave took place in 2018 (7,740 participants) and the third wave in 2020 (7,393 participants). By sharing their experience in Switzerland, respondents help us raise awareness and contribute to a better understanding of the migration process.

Migration-Mobility Survey – the fourth wave

The fourth wave of the Migration-Mobility Survey was conducted in the fall of 2022. 7,206 people participated in the survey and replied to the full questionnaire. Data is available for researchers here and on the right sidebar there are links to explore and visualize the results and data.

Topics covered by the survey

Participants are asked about issues such as migration experience, employment, family configuration, social contacts, and links with their countries of origin, as well as their living conditions in Switzerland. In 2020 and 2022, a specific module measures the impact of COVID-19 on the living conditions of migrants. In addition, the survey includes specific questions referring to the current research projects of the nccr – on the move.

Project team

The survey is conducted under the supervision of Prof. Philippe Wanner, University of Geneva. More information can be obtained at survey@nccr-onthemove.ch. The LINK opinion survey institute has been commissioned by the nccr – on the move to conduct the survey.

Information on the Migration-Mobility Survey 2022

PDF in Deutsch, Français, Italiano, English, Español and Português