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How immigration boosts the entire Swiss economy

The foreign workforce in Switzerland has been at the centre of controversy for years. But as a new study shows, immigrants are a boost to the country’s economy.

How immigration boosts the entire Swiss economy
Most foreign workers come from the EU. Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP

Even though some right-wing politicians have suggested that immigrants are taking jobs away from the Swiss – a claim that has been refuted by others — research shows that in reality foreign workers contribute to strengthening Switzerland’s economy.

In general terms, this question is addressed in a new study carried out by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG).

It found that “immigration countries recorded an average plus of two percentage points in the growth of the gross domestic product, because culturally mixed societies are more innovative. As a result, productivity and incomes also increased”.

While this study examined economic advantages of migration in all countries, and not particularly in Switzerland, there is enough evidence showing that foreign nationals benefit Swiss economy in numerous ways.

According to BCG Switzerland spokesperson Matthias Haymoz, 58 billion francs of the total gross domestic product are contributed each year directly and indirectly by immigrants. This corresponds to 8.2 percent of Switzerland’s total economic output – and is high in an international comparison.

One of the reasons for this is that Switzerland attracts a large number of highly qualified people, Haymoz said.

This finding is also supported by other data, like a report from University of Basel that examined  how Swiss economy benefits from immigration.

“In Switzerland there is a shortage of skilled labour in certain sectors of the economy. As a result, specialists in various fields have to be recruited from abroad”, according to the report.

“Highly qualified immigrants can help address this imbalance in the labour market”, said Basel economist Ensar Can.

“This relieves the pressure on companies, enabling them to continue operating and, in many cases, create new jobs – a good thing for the economy as a whole”, he added.

READ MORE: How can I have my foreign qualifications recognised in Switzerland?

Another report, issued by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), reiterates this point.

It states that the free movement of people, which allows citizens of EU and EFTA nations to work in Switzerland, is positive for the country because it meets the demands of the Swiss economy for both skilled and unskilled workers.

“Immigration from the EU / EFTA to Switzerland is strongly geared to the needs of the economy”, SECO said.

For example, the activity rate of EU nationals was 87.7 percent in 2019 — the last year for which statistics are available — compared to 84.6 percent for Swiss nationals, the report found.

Foreigners also fill other gaps in the labour market.

Compared to native Swiss employees, more foreigners have temporary jobs and work more often at night or in the evening, offering “a flexible workforce pool for companies subjected to seasonal fluctuations”, SECO said.

Also, while immigrants compensate for the shortage of high-skilled workers, the opposite is also true: they fill in low-skilled positions which are also essential for the country’s prosperity.

In what sectors do most immigrants work?

As this chart from the Federal Statistical Office indicates, most foreigners are employed in manufacturing, retail, as well as healthcare and social services sectors.

More immigrants in Switzerland in the first half of the year

In the first six months of 2021, immigration to Switzerland increased by 3.9 percent, compared to the same period of 2020, according to a new report released by the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM).

These developments are mainly due to the fact that, compared to the first pandemic wave of spring 2020, more third-country nationals came to Switzerland.

Net migration amounted to 26,008 people. In all, 2,128,812 foreigners were residing in Switzerland at the end of June 2021.

 READ MORE: An essential guide to Swiss work permits

 

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What are the best ways to search for your next job in Switzerland?

Looking for a new job in Switzerland? We've put together some tips on where to search for that new role.

What are the best ways to search for your next job in Switzerland?

The good news is that, as a country that serves as a world centre of finance, pharmaceuticals, and research, Switzerland offers an environment very friendly to English speakers. Unlike some European countries, hiring is a flexible and open process. 

That said, some hints will help you in your Swiss job search. 

Know where to look 

Before beginning your job search, knowing where most of your industry’s jobs are is essential. 

As The Local Switzerland has previously discussed, Zurich is Switzerland’s financial capital, whereas most pharmaceutical players are based in Basel. 

The life sciences are concentrated in ‘Health Valley’, stretching from Geneva to Montreaux. 

Geneva, Zurich, Lausanne, Bern, Basel, and St Gallen also have large universities that employ many researchers from abroad. 

Knowing where jobs are based will allow you to concentrate your search, and give you the time to more fully research and understand the needs of particular companies.

READ MORE: Where are the jobs in Switzerland for English speakers?

Develop your Xing as well as your LinkedIn profile

Most job seekers within professional working environments will have a LinkedIn profile to share with prospective employers. 

Xing is also a significant player in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, and it’s normal for German-speaking professionals to have an accompanying profile on that platform. 

Developing your presence on Xing can demonstrate that you are gaining a greater understanding of the Swiss working environment and establishing yourself as a long-term investment. 

READ MORE: Can you find a job in Zurich if you don’t speak German?

Use specialised job boards 

While many of the big job boards operate in Switzerland—Indeed and Monster, for example—several job boards focus on Swiss jobs specifically or service a key segment of the job market. 

Jobs.ch, jobup.ch, and Jobscout24 are popular sites within Switzerland and are often the first port of call for job seekers. Each has an English version and a user-friendly interface.

Several specialist job boards exist for specialised roles, such as those in the IT or medical research sectors.

Using a profession-based job board allows employers to draw from a more concentrated talent pool while offering job seekers a more significant opportunity to showcase their knowledge and skills. 

SwissDevJobs.ch is a popular destination for IT professionals, whereas Praxisstellen.ch specialises in pharmaceutical and medical research jobs. SwissTopJobs.ch is an excellent place to look for C-suite jobs in the finance and banking sectors. 

Networking is essential 

While there is often a perception that job hunting in Switzerland is very process-oriented, you may be surprised to learn that many positions are filled via word of mouth. 

Suppose you have friends or former colleagues already found a position within a Swiss firm. In that case, asking what positions are opening and whether you could apply is not unreasonable or rude. 

Word of mouth and hiring through connections are common in the Swiss IT field, but they are also common within several other industries, particularly among startups. 

Read More: Where are Switzerland’s biggest international companies?

Use your initiative 

You may also be surprised to hear that simply applying to a firm with your resume isn’t looked down upon in Switzerland (or the German-speaking world). 

This is known as an Initiativbewerbung (or simply ‘application on the initiative’), and employers often regard it very favourably.

To make an Initiativbewerbung, you’ll need your Anschreiben or lettre de motivation (cover letter), Lebenslauf or resume (curriculum vitae or CV), testimonials from other employers, and copies of any relevant certificates or qualifications. 

When naming these files, remember to use the German terms—it will help when they are searched for later!

It’s worth taking the time to identify and address your application directly to the head or manager of the particular department you’re looking to work within. This will create a stronger impression, and there’s less chance of losing it in the daily flow of emails and information. 

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