ZURICH, Switzerland: An upcoming referendum that would limit Switzerland’s population to 10 million is gaining support from a slim majority of the country’s citizens, an opinion poll showed on April 29.
The government has, however, rejected a proposal supported by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP) that will be voted on June 14. It says the plan would harm cooperation with the European Union and hurt the economy by limiting the workforce.
Worries about fast population growth and pressure on public services are leading many people in Switzerland to support the proposal, according to a survey by Tamedia, the newspaper “20 Minuten,” and polling group Leewas.
Switzerland’s population is now over nine million, and official figures show that more than 27 percent are foreign nationals as of 2024.
The survey, carried out on April 22 and 23 and published in the newspaper Tages-Anzeiger, found that 52 percent of 16,176 people either support the proposal or lean toward it, while 46 percent are against it. The rest had no opinion.
An early March poll showed 45 percent support and 47 percent opposition. The newspaper noted that this change is unusual, as support for referendum proposals in Switzerland usually drops as voting day approaches.
The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus three percentage points.
The proposal would limit Switzerland’s permanent population to fewer than 10 million by 2050 and require the country to end its free movement agreement with the EU.
Swiss lawmakers are currently discussing a deal with the EU, agreed in late 2024, to strengthen economic ties. This comes after a difficult 2025, when Switzerland was unexpectedly hit with the highest U.S. trade tariffs in Europe.
The SVP, the country’s largest political party, opposes closer ties with the EU, arguing that they threaten Switzerland’s independence and lead to too many regulations.