Migration-Mobility Survey 2018

Migrating to and Living in Switzerland

A total of 7’740 participants took part in the 2018 survey: 52% are women and 48% are men. The survey is representative of the adult foreign population having arrived in Switzerland after the age of 18 and of all nationalities having participated in it. As shown in the graph below, more than half of the surveyed migrants originate from an EU/EFTA country, while the remainder is composed of nationals from the different regions of the world. This distribution of national origins reflects recent migration flows to Switzerland. Furthermore, the majority of recent adult immigrants to Switzerland are married and often arrive with their family. More than three-quarters of them have a tertiary-level education.

Some first descriptive results of the second Migration-Mobility Survey

Profession and family, the two main factors behind immigration

Switzerland, the first migratory experience for half of the population surveyed

Difficulties encountered upon arrival in Switzerland

Migration generally improves migrants’ professional situation

Friendship relations extend to foreign countries and develop in Switzerland

A strong sense of belonging to the host society

Migration projects gradually take shape after arrival in Switzerland

More than half of the immigrant population is considering naturalization in the future