Population of Switzerland: how many inhabitants and what demographics?
Switzerland has around 8.96 million inhabitants (end of 2023). Population, density, languages, share of foreign residents and the most populous cities — the key figures explained.
At the end of 2023, Switzerland had around 8.96 million inhabitants (source: Federal Statistical Office). Its population grows by a little under 1 % a year, an increase driven mainly by immigration rather than by the natural balance of births.
The key figures
| Indicator | Value (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Population (end 2023) | 8.96 million |
| Area | 41,285 km² |
| Density | ≈ 217 inh./km² |
| Cantons | 26 |
| Share of foreign residents | ≈ 27 % |
Which languages are spoken?
Switzerland has four national languages. The share shown is the main language declared by residents (several answers are allowed, so the total exceeds 100 %).
| Language | Share (main language) |
|---|---|
| German (and Swiss German) | ≈ 62 % |
| French | ≈ 23 % |
| Italian | ≈ 8 % |
| Romansh | < 0.5 % |
The most populous cities
Figures for the municipality itself (the wider urban area is much larger). The most populous canton is Zurich, with over 1.5 million inhabitants.
| City | Inhabitants (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Zurich | 440,000 |
| Geneva | 200,000 |
| Basel | 175,000 |
| Lausanne | 140,000 |
| Bern | 135,000 |
An ageing population
Like the rest of Europe, Switzerland is ageing: the share of people aged 65 and over is rising steadily, which weighs on the funding of old-age pensions and health care — two recurring topics of federal votes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Switzerland?
Around 8.96 million inhabitants at the end of 2023, growing by a little under 1 % a year.
What is the most populous city in Switzerland?
Zurich, with about 440,000 inhabitants in the municipality (far more counting the urban area), ahead of Geneva and Basel.
What share of the population is foreign?
About 27 % of residents do not hold Swiss nationality — one of the highest shares in Europe, linked to more restrictive citizenship rules than elsewhere.
Related reading
- Geography of Switzerland: capital, area and cantons
An area of 41,285 km², 26 cantons, no official capital but Bern as the federal city: the geography of Switzerland explained simply.
- The largest cities in Switzerland: Zurich, Geneva, Basel…
Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Lausanne, Bern: the ranking of Switzerland's largest cities by population, and why the urban area changes everything.
- Becoming Swiss: naturalisation and residence permits
How many years of residence, what conditions, what three-tier procedure: how you become a Swiss citizen, explained simply.
- The languages of Switzerland: four languages and the Röstigraben
German, French, Italian, Romansh: the four national languages, the language regions and that cultural divide known as the Röstigraben.