Switzerland will vote this summer on a proposal by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP) to limit the country’s population to a maximum of 10 million. The referendum is scheduled for June 10 and has sparked strong political and economic debate.
The initiative would require the government to take restrictive measures once the population exceeds 9.5 million, including tighter limits on immigration, family reunification and asylum admissions. If the population reached 10 million and continued to grow, Switzerland could be forced to end its agreement on the free movement of people with the European Union.
Switzerland currently has around 9.1 million residents, with foreign nationals making up about 27% of the population. The SVP argues that rapid population growth is driving up housing costs and putting pressure on infrastructure and public services.
Opponents, including business associations and major companies, warn that the proposal could harm the economy and jeopardize key agreements with the EU, Switzerland’s main export market. Many sectors rely heavily on foreign workers.
Switzerland’s system of direct democracy allows citizens to propose national referendums if they collect enough signatures. While most initiatives are ultimately rejected, recent polls suggest the proposal has significant public support and reflects a broader debate about how open the country should remain to immigration.