In 2022, 9.5% of the Swiss population moved. Young adults were the most numerous in changing their residence. On average, the distance between the two addresses amounted to 13.7 km. These are some of the results published by the Federal Statistical Office.
A decrease in the number of relocations in 2022
In 2022, only 9.5% of the Swiss population moved. This is the lowest relocation rate observed in the past ten years. There is also a significant decrease of 0.6 percentage points between 2021 and 2022, as 10.1% of the Swiss population moved in 2021.
Evolution of the moving rate in Switzerland between 2013 and 2022
In 2021, approximately 750,000 people moved in Switzerland, while only 700,000 people did so in 2022. This represents a decrease of 50,000 people.
In 2022, young adults had the highest rate of relocation
Young adults continue to be the individuals who move the most:
- 20% of those aged 26-35 have changed residences, which is one in five young adults.
- 10.5% of individuals aged 36-45 have moved, representing a little over one in ten.
- Finally, only 6.5% of those aged 46-55 have changed their place of residence.
Moving rate by age in Switzerland in 2022
In Switzerland, as in many countries in Europe, the proportion of elderly individuals within the population is continually on the rise. In 2012, those aged 65 and older accounted for 17.4%. In 2022, a decade later, this same demographic comprises 19.2% of the population and is expected to continue increasing in the coming years.
Therefore, it is possible that the relocation rate may continue to decrease in the years ahead.
Expatriates in Switzerland move more than Swiss
Swiss citizens have relocated less compared to expatriates, whether it be within Switzerland or moving abroad.
On average, 7.9% of Swiss moved in 2022, while 14% of foreigners relocated. The highest relocation rate is observed among the French living in Switzerland, with 17.4%.
Among those who moved in 2022, 12.2% relocated internationally. There are significant disparities based on nationalities.
For instance, among British residents in Switzerland who moved in 2022, 38% left Switzerland. In contrast, only 5.6% of Swiss nationals who moved did so outside the country.
Moving rate abroad of people moving per nationality in 2022
Swiss people tend to move locally
In 2022, 39% of individuals who relocated did so within a distance of less than 2 km from their previous residence. Conversely, only 11.8% of those who moved in 2022 relocated more than 30 km away.
However, it is notable that the average distance between the two addresses has increased. In 2022, it stands at 13.7 km, compared to 13 km in 2021 and 12.5 km in 2020.
