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Immigration: The number of foreigners in Switzerland rose in 2020

The Local
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Immigration: The number of foreigners in Switzerland rose in 2020
Most of Switzerland's immigrants come from the European Union. Photo: Daniel Roland/AFP

Even though Swiss borders have been shut down since mid-March and foreigners are not allowed to enter the country, immigration increased by 9 percent in the first three months of this year.

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New figures released by the State Secretariat of Migration (SEM) show that 18,386 foreigners came to Switzerland between January and March 2020, which is 3,013 people more than in the same period last year.

At the end of March 2020, 2,125,410 foreign nationals were resident in Switzerland, including 1,452 421 from the EU, as well as from Norway, Iceland, and the United Kingdom.

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The highest number of foreigners come from Italy (15.3 percent), Germany (14.6 percent), Portugal (12 percent), France (6.7 percent), Kosovo (5,4 percent), and Spain (4 percent).

READ MORE: Three border crossings between Switzerland and Italy re-open

The biggest influx of immigrants at the beginning of this year was from France (1,110 people more compared to last year) and Germany (624 more people).

The downward trend in immigration due to restrictions on entry into Switzerland from March 13th, 2020, will show in the statistical data in the coming months, the SEM said.

Currently, international residents make up about 29 percent of Switzerland's population, proportionally one of the highest rates in Europe, according to the World Economic Forum.

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