Switzerland will hold a referendum this summer on a proposal from the far-right Swiss People’s Party (SVP) to cap the country’s population at 10 million. Opponents warn the measure would endanger key agreements with the European Union and severely damage the economy.
The government announced on Wednesday that the vote on the SVP’s “No to a 10 million Switzerland” initiative will take place on June 10. The proposal is strongly opposed by both houses of parliament as well as business and financial groups.
If passed, the initiative would require the government to take action should Switzerland’s permanent population—currently 9.1 million—exceed 9.5 million. Measures would include barring new arrivals, such as asylum seekers and family members of foreign residents.
Should the population reach 10 million, stricter restrictions would apply. If numbers do not then decline, the government would be forced to withdraw from its free-movement agreement with the EU, Switzerland’s largest export market by far.
Over the past decade, Switzerland’s population has grown about five times faster than the average in neighboring EU countries, driven by economic success that attracts both low-skilled workers and highly paid expatriates.
According to official figures, about 27% of Swiss residents are not citizens. The SVP, the country’s largest political party, argues that this “population explosion” is driving up rents and pushing public infrastructure and services to their limits.
The party, which has won the most votes in every election since 1999, has long campaigned against immigration, often highlighting crimes committed by foreigners and using provocative imagery such as bloody knives, hooded figures, fists, and frightened women.
Many of its more radical nationalist proposals—such as a 2016 plan to automatically deport immigrants convicted of even minor crimes, and a 2020 initiative to end free movement with the EU—have failed to gain majority support.
Switzerland’s system of direct democracy allows citizens to launch popular initiatives, which go to a national vote if they gather 100,000 signatures within 18 months. While the SVP frequently uses this tool, only about 10% of such initiatives succeed.
However, a poll in December showed 48% of voters support the “No to a 10 million Switzerland” proposal, reflecting deep divisions over how open the country should remain in a rapidly changing world.
Opponents—including multinational companies like Roche, UBS, and Nestlé—argue the initiative would threaten Switzerland’s bilateral agreements with the EU, including last year’s deal on single market access, which underpins much of the country’s prosperity.
The business lobby group Economiesuisse has called it the “chaos initiative,” warning that many Swiss companies depend on workers from the EU and elsewhere in Europe. Without them, firms could be forced to relocate abroad, reducing tax revenue and hurting public services.
Rival political parties stress that close ties with Europe are essential for Switzerland, given that about half of its exports go to the EU. Employers’ associations also point out that future population growth will largely come from natural increase and longer life expectancy, not immigration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the Swiss vote on a population limit designed to answer questions from basic to more advanced
Beginner General Questions
1 What is this vote about
Switzerland is holding a national referendum on a proposal to amend the constitution to cap the countrys permanent resident population at 10 million people The limit would be binding for the federal government
2 Who proposed this
The proposal was launched by the environmentalist group Ecopop which is generally considered to have farright or antiimmigration leanings due to its focus on limiting population growth primarily through immigration controls
3 Why 10 million
Proponents see it as a symbolic and concrete ceiling to prevent what they call overpopulation Switzerlands current population is about 87 million so it represents a buffer of roughly 13 million people
4 When is the vote happening
The vote is scheduled for September 22 2024 In Switzerland citizens vote on multiple national and local issues several times a year
5 How would this limit actually work
If passed the federal government would be obligated to implement policiesprimarily through strict annual quotas on immigration and potentially incentives for Swiss citizens to live abroadto ensure the permanent resident population never exceeds 10 million
Reasons Arguments
6 What are the main arguments FOR the proposal
Protecting Resources To preserve Switzerlands natural environment reduce urban sprawl and ease pressure on infrastructure like trains roads and housing
Quality of Life To maintain a high standard of living and prevent overcrowding
Planning Security To force the government into longterm sustainable planning with a fixed population goal
7 What are the main arguments AGAINST the proposal
Economic Harm Critics including the government and most major business groups argue it would severely damage the economy by cutting off the skilled labor force needed in key sectors like healthcare tech and construction
Violation of Agreements It would force Switzerland to violate its international treaties especially the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons with the European Union risking its bilateral economic agreements
