Most of the newcomers are European, with Italians and Germans making up the largest percentage at 11 percent each, followed by people of Portuguese and French origin.
In 2013, 2.4 million of the 6.8 million people above the age of 15 living in Switzerland had a migrant background, up from 1.7 million in 2003, according to data published by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).
A full 80 percent were born abroad, while the remaining 20 percent were born in Switzerland to immigrant parents.
More than one third hold a Swiss passport, FSO said.
Getting nationality can be a lengthy process in Switzerland, and is not guaranteed to second or even third-generation immigrants, although discussions are underway to make it easier for grandchildren of migrants to receive the coveted Swiss passport.
Immigrants with no blood-ties to Swiss nationals through birth or marriage are, meanwhile, required to live in the country for at least a decade before applying, and even then must prove they are well-integrated and well-versed in Swiss languages, laws and customs.
The influx is having a clear impact on demographics in the wealthy Alpine nation, since the migrant population is significantly younger than their native counterparts, FSO said.
"This younger population is slowing down the ageing of the resident population in Switzerland," it said.
The statistics did not provide the same break-down for Switzerland's 1.2 million children under the age of 15, due to incomplete data.
FSO said around 90 percent of these children had been born in Switzerland, but it remained unclear how many of them were second generation immigrants.
FOREIGNERS
Immigrants swell to third of Swiss population
First and second generation immigrants now make up more than a third of Switzerland's inhabitants over the age of 15, a significant increase in the past decade, statistics released on Thursday show.
For members
SWISS CITIZENSHIP
Do EU residents in Switzerland need to get Swiss citizenship?
If you come from the European Union or Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein (EFTA) and live in Switzerland you may be wondering whether applying for Swiss nationality is worth your while.
While many foreign residents are impatiently waiting for the moment when they will be eligible to apply for a Swiss passport, others are in no rush to do so.
The desire (or the lack thereof) to become a citizen of Switzerland — in addition to maintaining their original nationality, if they decide to do so — varies from person to person, depending on many different factors.
The main one is undoubtedly whether the foreigner intends to stay in Switzerland indefinitely, or plans to return home eventually.
Another reason may very well be the desire to participate fully and completely in Switzerland’s political life and democratic processes — that is, to vote in referendums and elections, and feel that your opinion matters.
But a lot may also depend on another factor: your nationality.
For people from third countries who have lived in Switzerland long enough — 10 years with a B or L permit — before finally being eligible for their permanent residency C permit, is a huge event. (Americans and Canadians, on the other hand, can apply for a C permit after five years of consecutive residence).
It is therefore logical that many of these people, whose status in Switzerland has been conditional and tenuous for many years, will jump on the opportunity to be naturalised and ‘regularise’ their situation.
What about people from the EU / EFTA?
Admittedly, there is far less urgency — or need, for that matter — to become a Swiss citizen if you have a passport from an EU or EFTA state.
That’s because you have an almost unlimited access to Swiss jobs and residency, as well as sweeping rights overall. For instance, you are free to change jobs and move from one canton to another.
Another benefit that you, as a citizen of an EU / EFTA state have, is that you can come to Switzerland and look for work for up to six months without any visa requirements.
Also, in case of a job loss, an EU / EFTA citizen doesn’t have to leave Switzerland immediately.
Instead, they may stay in the country for at least six months to seek new employment.
Another perk is that if you are living in Switzerland as an EU/EFTA citizen, you can purchase property – indeed, you have the same rights in this regard as Swiss citizens do.
You do not need a permit or any additional permissions that a Swiss citizen would not require to buy property.
READ ALSO: Just how freely can EU citizens move to (and within) Switzerland?
All this to say that you can live in Switzerland pretty much indefinitely on your EU / EFTA passport, and neither your residency nor employment is subject to the same restrictions as those imposed on third country nationals.
You basically enjoy the same rights as Swiss citizens, except for the right to vote, which may or may not matter to you.
In that respect, you don’t need a Swiss passport, especially if you don’t plan to remain in the country longterm.
However…
…if you do want to continue living in Switzerland, it may be worth your while to apply for naturalisation, if only out of pragmatism.
That’s because if you leave the country for more than six months on a B permit, you will lose the residency rights (though can re-apply to have them re-established).
With a C permit, you have the benefit of putting it on hold for up to four years. But if you neglect to do so, then the permit (and your permanent residency status) will expire.
READ ALSO: How long can I stay out of Switzerland and keep my residency rights?
So in this respect at least, having a Swiss passport will give you more flexibility and security.
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