Switzerland will hold a referendum this summer on a proposal to limit the country’s population to 10 million.
The Guardian reported that the Swiss government announced a vote would be held on June 10, 2026 on the proposal by the Swiss People’s Party (SVP) that would threaten European Union agreements and is opposed by Swiss businesses. If passed, the initiative would mean that the Swiss government and parliament must act if the country’s permanent population exceeds 9.5 million by denying entrance to newcomers, including asylum seekers and the families of foreign residents.
Switzerland’s population, currently 9.1 million, has grown about five times faster than the average surrounding EU member states over the the last ten years, driven by economic success that has increased the number of both low-skilled workers and corporate expatriates. About 27% of Swiss residents are not citizens, according to government figures.
The Swiss system of democracy allows citizens to propose initiatives, which are put to a referendum if they get 100,000 supporters over an 18 month period. Only about 10% of popular initiatives pass.