Immigration to Switzerland drops slightly in first half of 2024

Net immigration to Switzerland fell by 6,237 people year-on-year in the first half of 2024, to 40,963 people, Swiss authorities said on Thursday. + Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox At the end of June, a total of 2,338,710 foreign nationals were living in the country, the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) said on Thursday. In total, 80,684 people immigrated as permanent foreign residents between January and June 2024, according to SEM. This was 5.9% fewer than in the same period last year. Immigration of people from European Union (EU) and European Free Trade Agreement (EFTA) member states fell by 7.2% to 57,330 people. Third-country nationals – i.e. not from the EU or EFTA – accounted for 23,354 people, 2.4% fewer than in 2023. + Read more: immigration disrupts Swiss political landscape Family reunification meanwhile accounted for 24.3% of immigration, SEM said. A total of 19,623 people immigrated to Switzerland to rejoin family members, 9.2% fewer ...