Quick facts
Switzerland population overview
Switzerland is the 18th most populous of 50 countries and territories in Europe. The United Nations put the population at 8,989,734 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +0.4% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 103 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 80,908 births (9 per 1,000 people) and 76,413 deaths (8.5 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 34,161 people. The infant mortality rate is 3 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 5,327,827 in 1960 to 9,092,436 in 2025 — a change of +70.7%, or +0.8% per year on average. It peaked at 9,092,436 in 2025 and has declined 0.8% since.
Demographically, the median age is 43.2 years; life expectancy at birth is 84.4 years; women have on average 1.3 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 14.9% of residents are under 15 and 20.4% are 65 or older (2025); 85.7% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Bern. Switzerland covers 41,291 km², giving a population density of about 218 people per km². GDP was $1.04T in 2025 — about $114,769 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
Switzerland population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 9,019,844 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 8,989,734 |
| World rank | #100 of 238 |
| Rank in Europe | #18 of 50 |
| Share of world population | 0.1% |
| Annual growth rate | +0.4% |
| Births per year est. | 80,908 |
| Deaths per year est. | 76,413 |
| Net migration per year est. | +34,161 |
| Birth rate | 9 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 8.5 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 3 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 98.8 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 43.2 years |
| Life expectancy | 84.4 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.3 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 85.7% |
| Surface area 2023 | 41,291 km² |
| Population density | 218 per km² |
| Capital | Bern |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $1.04T |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $114,769 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
Switzerland population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 9,019,844 | – | – |
| 2025 | 9,092,436 | +86,854 | +1% |
| 2024 | 9,005,582 | +116,760 | +1.3% |
| 2023 | 8,888,822 | +111,734 | +1.3% |
| 2022 | 8,777,088 | +72,542 | +0.8% |
| 2021 | 8,704,546 | +66,379 | +0.8% |
| 2020 | 8,638,167 | +355,771 | +0.8% |
| 2015 | 8,282,396 | +457,487 | +1.1% |
| 2010 | 7,824,909 | +387,794 | +1% |
| 2005 | 7,437,115 | +252,865 | +0.7% |
| 2000 | 7,184,250 | +143,563 | +0.4% |
| 1995 | 7,040,687 | +325,168 | +1% |
| 1990 | 6,715,519 | +245,154 | +0.7% |
| 1985 | 6,470,365 | +150,957 | +0.5% |
| 1980 | 6,319,408 | -19,224 | -0.1% |
| 1975 | 6,338,632 | +157,755 | +0.5% |
| 1970 | 6,180,877 | +324,405 | +1.1% |
| 1965 | 5,856,472 | +528,645 | +1.9% |
| 1960 | 5,327,827 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Switzerland
Population over time
- From 5,327,827 in 1960 to 9,019,844 today — up 69.3%.
- Population peaked at 9,092,436 in 2025 and is down 0.8% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +0.9% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 84.4 years (2024), up 13.1 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.3 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 8.7 births vs 8 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 0.7 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 14.9% of the population is under 15 and 20.4% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 10.2% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 33.73 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 47.65 Mt in 1973 — down 29.2% since.
- Per person: 3.75 t in 2024, vs 6.69 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 2,491.5 kg of oil equivalent per person (2024), down 31.1% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 27.7% of final energy in 2021 (+10.9 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 32.4% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 29.2% to 32.4% since 1990 — roughly 1,322 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 85.7% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 51% in 1960 (+34.7 points).
- Majority-urban for the whole period covered.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 4.2% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 4,603 m³ in 2022, down 38.1% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $1.04T in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 47.8% since 2015.
- That works out to $114,769 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 4.9% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 0.2% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 97.3% of people used the internet in 2025.
- Mobile subscriptions: 129.5 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Switzerland in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Switzerland in 2026?
As of October 2026, Switzerland has an estimated population of 9,019,844. The United Nations estimated 8,989,734 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +0.4% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Switzerland growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +0.4% per year — roughly 103 more people every day. Each year there are about 80,908 births and 76,413 deaths, with net migration of +34,161.
What is the population density of Switzerland?
About 218 people per square kilometre: 9,019,844 people living on 41,291 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Switzerland?
The median age is 43.2 years, and life expectancy at birth is 84.4 years. 14.9% of the population is under 15 and 20.4% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Switzerland rank by population?
Switzerland is the 100th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 18th in Europe, with 0.1% of the global population.
How has the population of Switzerland changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 5,327,827; by 2025 it had grown to 9,092,436 (+70.7%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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IsraelSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+0.4%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.