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More and more Swiss are emigrating. At the end of 2023, 813,400 of them lived abroad. That is more than 13,000 more people than last year. But where are Mr. and Mrs. Schweizer going? Blick provides an overview.
The favorites
The Swiss abroad remain close, writes the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). Nearly two-thirds of all people who have left Switzerland live in Europe. More than a quarter are moving to our neighboring country France (209,300 people). Germany (99,600 people) and Italy (52,000 people) are also popular targets.
Outside Europe, the United States is popular. More than 83,000 people live in the US, which is one-tenth of all Swiss abroad. Canada (41,500 people), Australia (26,400 people) and Israel (23,700 people) are also in the top ten.
Relatively few Swiss citizens live in Portugal (6,900 people). “The number there has increased the most in Europe.”
The paradise for retirees
About 23 percent of all Swiss abroad are over 65 and enjoy their retirement outside Switzerland. Just like last year, the increase was strongest in the oldest age group, the BFS writes. Among countries with large communities, the proportion of older women is highest in Thailand (41 percent), Portugal (34 percent), Spain (32 percent) and South Africa (32 percent).
The Organization of Swiss Abroad explains the increase in seniors with their financial circumstances. “Statistics suggest that part of the increase is due to the growing risk of poverty in old age.” There are few retirees abroad who would live in luxury. People in Switzerland were often dependent on supplementary benefits. According to the ASO, your AHV pension in 2022 amounted to an average of 1,209 francs, and in Switzerland it was 1,919 francs.
The loners
The BFS statistics show that there are more than 100 countries in which the Swiss are spread abroad. There are also smaller countries where only one Swiss lives. For example, the Palau Archipelago in Oceania or the Federated States of Micronesia, also in Oceania.
The reasons
The number of Swiss living abroad has increased on almost all continents, with only slightly fewer Swiss moving to Africa. However, according to the BFS, the increase is only partly due to emigrants. “The difference between the number of births and the number of deaths and naturalizations also contributed to this.” Three-quarters of Swiss people abroad have multiple nationalities.
Source:Blick
I am Liam Livingstone and I work in a news website. My main job is to write articles for the 24 Instant News. My specialty is covering politics and current affairs, which I’m passionate about. I have worked in this field for more than 5 years now and it’s been an amazing journey. With each passing day, my knowledge increases as well as my experience of the world we live in today.
