The largest number of foreigners in Switzerland lives in Zurich
According to the Federal Statistical Office (BfS), Zurich, the most densely populated city in Switzerland, has the largest number of foreigners in absolute figures – 124,800 people. However, in percentage terms, there are more foreigners in Geneva, which is not surprising, as numerous international organizations and offices of multinational corporations are located there.
But last week, the Swiss French-language national radio RTS reported surprising news: it turns out that in Locarno, a city in the canton of Ticino with a population of almost 16,500, there are more foreigners and Swiss citizens from other cantons than actual local residents. In particular, the share of foreigners in Locarno is 35%, Swiss from other cantons (especially from German-speaking Switzerland) make up 16%, and Ticinese themselves account for only 48%.
But what does "local" and "foreigner" mean? On average, every fifth person living in one of the ten most populous cities in Switzerland who holds a Swiss passport was born abroad, and every sixth person does not have Swiss citizenship, although they were born in this country.
Which Swiss city has the most foreigners?
Graphics from the portal Swissinfo.ch
Thomas STEVENS.
Translation by Nadezhda Kapone.