Zurich’s population has reached a new high, but data also reveals interesting information about foreigners who call Switzerland’s largest city ‘home’.
Despite fewer children born in the city in recent years ( the trend observed elsewhere in Switzerland as well), more people than ever before – 452,421 – were living in the city of Zurich by the end of 2025,
Nearly 34 percent (33.9, to be exact) are foreign nationals, up from 32.3 percent five years ago.
This is what emerges from a new analysis published by the city’s statistical office on February 6th.
What else does this data reveal about Zurich’s foreign residents?
It lists the 10-top nationalities represented in the city.
Not surprisingly, given both the language and geographical proximity, Germans make up by far the highest number (32,600) of Zurich’s foreign population.
They are followed by people from Italy (18,106), Spain (8,734), Portugal (6,907), France (5,985), Austria (5,141), Greece (3,804), Turkey (3,535), Poland (3,419), and Eritrea (3,411).
All of them live in Zurich with either a B or C permit.
We also know how many people from these 10-top countries obtained Swiss citizenship in 2024 – the last year for which these statistics are available.
Here too, people from Germany top the chart(1,385).
Citizens of Italy trail behind, with 258 citizens receiving Swiss passports, followed by Spain (171); France (154); the UK (96); Greece (87); Hungary, Russia and Eritrea (81); and Poland (78).
Note that these people no longer show up in Zurich’s 2025 statistics under the category of ‘foreigners’, but are counted with the rest of the Swiss population.
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And speaking of naturalisation…
Figures from December 2025 reveal that communes in Zurich are relying less and less on personal interviews with applicants as part of the Swiss citizenship procedure, preferring instead to assess the candidate’s integration from their letters of motivation.
It is a personal statement that accompanies the naturalisation application.
Written in the official language of the canton where the candidate lives, it should explain why they would like to become Swiss.
For instance, a successful letter details the candidate’s appreciation for Swiss values, way of life, and society in general.
It should also mention their involvement or volunteer activities in your community’s affairs – whether it be via a local choir, school, or fire brigade.
READ MORE: Why are Zurich authorities skipping naturalisation interviews?
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And there is more nauralisation-related news
Zurich has the second-highest naturalisation rate in Switzerland after Geneva, but disparities in numbers exist between richer and less well-off communities.
In fact, significant disparities exist based on wealth.
Affluent municipalities surrounding Lake Zurich – the so-called ‘Gold Coast’- register more applications, despite a low proportion of eligible foreign residents.
READ MORE: How residents in wealthy Zurich areas are more likely to seek naturalisation
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What do other studies show about Zurich’s foreign residents?
According to a new analysis released by the city in January, each year, some 40,000 people move away from, Zurich, and 55 percent (22,000) are foreign nationals.
The study did not, however, indicate the reasons for the relocations.
It is therefore not known whether the foreigners returned to their countries of origin or simply moved elsewhere within Switzerland.
READ MORE: How thousands of foreigners leave Zurich every year
