Swiss views harden on foreigners’ impact on schools and safety, FSO data show

Public perceptions of foreigners in Switzerland have hardened on schools and safety over the past three years, even as broad majorities remain supportive of foreign residents, according to new figures from the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) released Tuesday.

Between 2022 and 2024, the share of the population that rated the impact of foreigners on school education as negative rose by 7 percentage points, the FSO said. In the area of safety, the proportion who believe foreigners make roads in Switzerland unsafe increased by 6 percentage points to almost 30 percent.

The issue of the misuse of social benefits also divides the population more strongly, according to the report. Overall, however, the survey finds the population remains open to people from abroad living in Switzerland and sees positive effects of their presence.

More than 70 percent do not think foreigners create a feeling of insecurity on the street, are responsible for an increase in unemployment, or that foreign children hinder the education of Swiss children. According to the FSO, around 60 percent of respondents favour granting more rights to foreigners living in Switzerland, particularly with regard to family reunification.

Support is weaker for political participation by foreign nationals, with only about half in favour. Across all questions surveyed, the share backing such rights fell by almost 5 percentage points between 2022 and 2024. Taken together, the findings outline a mixed picture: concerns about education and safety have grown in recent years, while support for foreign residents and certain rights remains substantial.