Switzerland May Limit Population Size
- 12.02.2026, 10:57
The issue will be put to a referendum.
This summer, Switzerland will put to a referendum a proposal by the far-right Swiss People's Party (SVP) to limit the country's population to 10 million.
This is reported by European Truth, citing The Guardian.
The Swiss government announced that a referendum on the SVP's "No 10-million Switzerland" initiative, which is strongly opposed by both houses of parliament as well as the business community and financial services, will be held on June 10.
If approved, the initiative would oblige the Swiss government and parliament to take action if the country's permanent population of 9.1 million exceeds 9.5 million by denying entry to new arrivals, including asylum seekers and families of foreign residents.
If the population reaches 10 million, further restrictions will come into effect, and if the population does not begin to decline, the government will be forced to withdraw from its free movement agreement with the EU.
Since the last decade, Switzerland's population has grown about five times faster than the average for neighboring EU member states, as its economic success has attracted both low-skilled workers and high-paid corporate expats.
According to government figures, about 27% of Swiss residents are not citizens.
SVP, the country's largest political party, says the "population explosion" is driving up rents and overloading infrastructure and services to the limit.
The party, which has come first in every election since 1999, has long campaigned against immigration.
The radical nationalist changes it often proposes, such as a 2016 proposal to automatically deport immigrants found guilty of even minor offenses and a 2020 plan to end free movement with the EU, have generally had little success.
Switzerland's system of direct democracy allows citizens to propose so-called popular initiatives, which are put to a referendum if they get 100,000 supporters within 18 months.
They are a favorite tool of the SVP, but only about 10% of popular initiatives are adopted.
A poll in December, however, showed widespread support among 48% of voters for a "No to 10-million Switzerland" initiative, reflecting deeply divided views on how open the country wants and needs to be.