EU nationals come to Switzerland above all to work. Given the demographic slowdown, the labor market must remain open, pleads the State Secretariat for the Economy (SECO) in its annual report on the free movement of people.
In 2024, net immigration from the EU/AELE amounted to 53,700 people, 10,000 less than in 2023. It made it possible to respond to the strong growth in highly skilled labor demand.
Swiss companies are also recruiting in the EU in order to find labor in the hotel and catering, construction and industry, areas where the native workforce is no longer enough, SECO recalls in its report published on Tuesday.
With similar characteristics, EU/AELE nationals obtain on average wages similar to those of the Swiss. A risk of a salary underwater linked to the employment of cross-border workers is however identified in Ticino.
Complement, not replacement
Strong immigration on the labor market in recent years has been accompanied, for the Swiss active population, a sustainably low unemployment rate and an increase in the activity rate. EU immigration therefore completes the indigenous active population and does not replace it, explains the Seco. It also makes it possible to curb demographic aging, but cannot stop it.
The current agreement on the free movement of people must be adapted, within the framework of negotiations with the EU. The Federal Council and the social partners have agreed to protect the level of Swiss wages.
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