EU nationals and nationals come to Switzerland above all to work: 87% are active. With 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.
“EU people come to Switzerland to work,” Jérome Cosandey said on Tuesday at the head of the Seco Labor Directorate. Their activity rate is high: in 2024, it was 86.8%, or two percentage points more than that of the Swiss.
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, the SECO recalls in its report.
Risks of under-binding
With similar characteristics (age, training, etc.), EU/AELE nationals obtain on average salaries similar to those of Swiss. In the neighboring regions, the risk of a wage-related employee underwater, however, is still a challenge, according to Seco.
In Ticino and in the Jura arch, there are differences in wages between cross -border workers and residents who are only partially explained by objective factors. Support measures therefore continue to play a major role.
Complement, not replacement
Strong immigration to 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, notes Seco. EU immigration therefore completes the indigenous active population and does not replace it.
It also makes it possible to curb demographic aging, but cannot stop it. According to projections from the Federal Statistics Office, the active population will increase less quickly in the future, even with persistent immigration.
AVS and unemployment
The free movement of people has differentiated consequences on social insurance. EU/AELE nationals contribute proportionally more than AVS than they receive any benefits.
This is the opposite for unemployment insurance, since EU/AELE immigrants are strongly represented in areas where employment stability is low, such as seasonal activities, notes the SECO.
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.
repayment
