For the first time, Switzerland’s residents over the age of 65 outnumber those under 20. The phenomenon could have serious implications on the country’s future as well as on government policy.
Figures released by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) on April 2nd reveal that “the demographic aging has accelerated in recent years,” and “the burden of seniors continues to grow.”
Concretely, in 2025, there were 32.9 individuals aged 65 and over for every 100 people 20 to 64 years old; this ratio was 25.7/100 in 2005.
At least two reasons account for this evolution.
One, the already low birth rate of previous years had fallen further in 2025, while fewer people died.
Two, Switzerland’s life expectancy – one of the highest in the world – increased further in 2025: by 0.4 years for women and 0.3 years for men, reaching 86.3 and 82.7 years, respectively.
While these developments are positive in and of themselves, they spell bad news as far as Switzerland’s future is concerned.
That’s because, according to Avenir-Suisse think tank, “the increase in life expectancy and the decline in the birth rate have significant repercussions on the state pension.”
Raymond Kohli, FSO’s demography and migration expert agreed.
Having more retired than working people creates “a significant challenge to the pension-find finances ,” he said.
This is also confirmed in a government report from 2025
It mentions that “aging population will pose various challenges, particularly for prosperity, the functioning of the labour market, public finances, old-age pensions, and the healthcare system.”
Advertisement
What can be done to remedy this situation?
Both the government’s report and FSO’s Kohli suggest the same solution: more working-age foreigners.
“The renewal of the working population must largely take place through immigration over the next few decades,” Kohli noted.
As for the Federal Council, it said that “continued population growth, primarily driven by economic migration, presents a unique opportunity in addressing these challenges.”
Advertisement
The message is clear, but will it be heeded?
While the government, economists, employers’ association, and political parties all emphasise the importance of the continued influx of foreign workers for the future of Switzerland’s economy, one party says otherwise.
The right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP) argues that continued immigration will be detrimental to Switzerland’s key infrastructure, such as housing, public transport, health system, and schools, which will not be able to withstand population growth, expected to reach 10 million by 2045.
They have therefore launched an initiative, to be voted on in a referendum on June 14th – to cut the number of immigrants allowed to come to Switzerland.
READ MORE: What exactly does the Swiss ‘no to 10 million’ anti-immigration proposal aim to do?
Advertisement
There could be another solution as well
The government would like people in Switzerland to continue working beyond the statuary retirement age of 65
While this measure would not cause the population to grow, it would keep money flowing into the pension fund
In a way of incentives, the Federal Council wants to increase the contribution allowance.
Currently, anyone who continues to work past the statuary retirement age has to pay social insurance contributions on the income above 16,800 per year.
The government is hoping, however, that raising this contribution-exempted amount (to as-yet undetermined sum), will make the post-retirement employment more appealing.
READ MORE: Swiss government says it wants people to work on after retirement
