Swiss labor market
European immigration is a necessary reinforcement in the face of aging
According to the SECO annual report, EU nationals complete the native workforce without replacing it.
The labor market must remain open, pleads the State Secretariat for the Economy (SECO).
FREEPIK
EU nationals come to Switzerland above all to work. Given the demographic slowdown, the labor market must remain open, argue the State Secretariat for 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 also recruit in the EU in order to find labor in the hotel and catering, construction and industry, areas where native workforce is no longer enough, recalls the SECO in its report published on Tuesday.
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With similar characteristics, EU/AELE nationals obtain on average wages similar to those of Swiss. A risk of a salary underwater linked to the employment of cross-border workers is however identified in Ticino.
Complement, not replacement
The strong immigration In the labor market in recent years has been accompanied, for the Swiss active population, with a sustainable 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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