Switzerland votes on June 14th on an initiative that would seek to stop the country’s population hitting 10 million before 2050. Here is an overview of where things stand right now.
Current statistics
Current population: 9.1 million (November 2025)
Foreign nationals: 2.5 million (November 2025)
Eligible voters: 5.6 million
Who can vote: Swiss nationals aged 18 and over.
Background
Since the introduction of the free movement of people in 2002, the Swiss population has grown by around 1.7 million, largely due to immigration.
Direct democracy
Switzerland has a direct democracy system. Citizens can challenge decisions taken by Parliament in referendums, and propose new laws themselves in popular initiatives. A total of 100,000 valid signatures in 18 months are required to trigger a national popular initiative.
The initiative
The initiative is entitled “No to a Switzerland with 10 million! (Sustainability Initiative)”.
Under its terms, if the permanent resident population exceeds 9.5 million before 2050, the government and Parliament would have to take measures, notably on asylum and family reunification.
The government would also have to invoke or negotiate exemptions and safeguard clauses in international agreements deemed to contribute to population growth.
If the 10 million threshold is exceeded before 2050, Switzerland would have to, within two years, terminate those agreements, including the one with the EU on the free movement of persons.
Population projections
Switzerland’s population is on course to keep growing.
Official projections from the government suggest it will reach 9.5 million by the year 2031 and 10 million in the early 2040s.
READ MORE: TIMELINE – When would Switzerland’s population cap initiative be triggered?
Opinion polls
Surveys have shown the opposition camp gaining ground in a tight contest.
June 3rd: (LeeWas poll for Tamedia newspaper group and 20 Minuten newspaper. Survey period: May 27th to 28th. Sample size: 20,193. In brackets: change from April 29th poll.)
For: 47 percent (-5)
Against — 52 percent (+6)
June 3rd: (gfs.bern poll for public broadcaster SRG SSR. Survey period: May 19th to 27th. Sample size: 18,372. In brackets: change from May 8th poll.)
For: 45 percent (-2)
Against — 52 percent (+5)
May 27th: (YouGov poll. Survey period: May 18 to 26. Sample size: 2,518.)
For: 43 percent
Against: 51 percent
Who backs the initiative?
The vote is being proposed by the hard-right Swiss People’s Party (SVP), the biggest in the country.
“Uncontrolled immigration is causing Switzerland to grow far too quickly. The negative consequences are palpable in all areas of life,” the Yes campaign says.
READ MORE: What exactly does the Swiss ‘no to 10 million’ anti-immigration proposal aim to do?
Who is against?
The seven-member government — comprised of ministers from the four biggest parties – including the SVP – is collectively against. It warns that adopting the measure would create uncertainty, threaten national stability, harm the economy, and threaten Swiss prosperity and internal security.
Parliament, as a whole, also recommends rejecting the initiative, with both houses having clear majorities against.
All major parties except SVP are opposed.
The Swiss Trade Union Federation, the Swiss Employers’ Association and the business umbrella organisation economiesuisse are also against the initiative.
The proposal “will not create any additional housing or combat illegal immigration. It solves no problems, but creates new ones”, the ‘No’ campaign says.
“It deprives our businesses and our entire society of a workforce we desperately need.”
READ MORE: Who is leading the fight in Switzerland against the anti-immigration proposal?
What does the vote need to pass?
A double majority.
To pass, the initiative must win both the national popular vote and the support of a majority of Switzerland’s 23 full and six half-cantons.
