DistantNews
Support us
Swiss Migration Research Reveals Internal Mobility and Regional Emigration Trends
🇨🇭 Switzerland /Culture & Society

Swiss Migration Research Reveals Internal Mobility and Regional Emigration Trends

From Neue Zürcher Zeitung · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Outcome reported
  • Twelve years of research by eight Swiss universities has concluded, examining the interplay of migration and mobility within Switzerland.
  • The study found significant mobility within the foreign migrant population, influenced by the job market and country of origin.
  • Researchers also observed that Switzerland experiences emigration of taxpayers and skilled workers, particularly at the regional level.

Switzerland, often viewed as a destination for migrants, also experiences significant internal and external mobility among its foreign-born population, according to a comprehensive 12-year research project. The National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) "on the move," involving eight Swiss universities, investigated the complex relationship between migration and mobility, revealing nuanced patterns of movement.

Gianni D’Amato, who led the project at the University of Neuchâtel, highlighted the dynamic nature of migration within Switzerland. "We have found that within the foreign migrant population, there is strong mobility, determined by the labor market or by the country of origin," he stated. This suggests that foreign nationals are not a static group but actively move within the country, seeking opportunities or responding to changing circumstances.

We have found that within the foreign migrant population, there is strong mobility, determined by the labor market or by the country of origin.

— Gianni D’AmatoThe project leader describes findings on the movement of foreign nationals within Switzerland.

The research also shed light on a less-discussed aspect of Swiss migration: emigration. While Switzerland attracts many, it also sees a departure of taxpayers and skilled professionals. This outflow, however, appears to be primarily at a regional level, indicating localized trends rather than a nationwide exodus. The study explored the life trajectories of individuals who move to Switzerland for various reasons, including study or corporate assignments, and may eventually leave, become cross-border commuters, or settle permanently.

One poignant personal account came from Liliana Azevedo, whose research focuses on the Portuguese migrant community. She described her childhood experience as a "Schrankkind" (closet child) in the early 1980s, unable to attend public school due to her father's seasonal worker status and her own lack of a residence permit. Her story underscores the precarious situations some migrants faced and the importance of access to education, eventually obtaining Swiss citizenship herself.

I was a so-called closet child.

— Liliana AzevedoA researcher shares a personal experience of being undocumented as a child in Switzerland.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Neue Zürcher Zeitung in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog