Switzerland Divided over Vote to Cap Population at 10 Mln

Voters in Switzerland will head to the polls next month to decide on a controversial proposal aimed at limiting the country’s population to 10 million people in an effort to curb immigration.

The initiative, backed by the right-wing Swiss People's Party, argues that rapid population growth is worsening housing shortages, rising rents, traffic congestion, and pressure on healthcare and education systems.

If approved, the proposal would require the government to tighten migration and asylum policies and could eventually force Switzerland to end its freedom of movement agreement with the European Union.

The plan has sparked sharp political divisions, with most major parties opposing the measure and warning it could damage Switzerland’s economy and labor market.

Economists and researchers have cautioned that reducing immigration could worsen labor shortages in sectors heavily dependent on foreign workers, including hospitality, construction, and healthcare.

Foreign residents currently account for more than 27% of Switzerland’s population, with immigration driving much of the country’s population growth since its agreements with the EU came into force in 2002.