Zurich: Switzerland held a referendum to limit its population to no more than 10 million people. Swiss citizens are set to decide on a proposal to cap the number of permanent residents in Switzerland at no more than 10 million until 2050.
According to Thai News Agency, the proposal is being driven by the Swiss People's Party (SVP), the country's largest right-wing political party known for its anti-immigration stance. The party argues that the measure is necessary to address issues such as rising housing prices, overcrowded infrastructure, and strain on public services due to migration. Switzerland's current population stands at approximately 9.1 million.
If the referendum passes, the Swiss government will be required to implement strict migration controls as the population nears the proposed limit. Should the population reach 9.5 million, measures such as suspending family cohabitation and limiting refugee numbers would be enacted. If the population hits the 10 million mark before 2050, the government must consider canceling international agreements that promote population growth, including the free movement of labor agreement with the European Union (EU).
Business leaders have expressed concerns that the cap could worsen the shortage of skilled labor in critical sectors like healthcare, tourism, and technology. With two out of five workers and many company founders being foreigners, ending the free movement of labor could jeopardize Switzerland's economic stability, especially since the EU is its largest trading partner. This could lead to the termination of other bilateral agreements, including security treaties such as the Schengen Agreement.
A study from the Demografik research institute suggests that halting migration could lead to a demographic imbalance, with a rapid increase in the elderly population, thus straining state pension and welfare systems. Meanwhile, a public opinion poll by GfS Bern and LeeWas shows that the vote could be very close. Under Switzerland's direct democracy system, the referendum requires a "double majority" to pass, needing both a national majority and the majority of the 26 cantons.