Swiss voters have rejected a far-right proposal to cap the country's population at 10 million, with 54.79% voting against and 45.21% in favour. Turnout was 58.86%. The initiative, put forward by the Swiss People's Party (SVP), would have obliged the government to limit population growth if the number reached 9.5 million before 2050, including tough restrictions on family reunification, residency permits and asylum.
If the 10 million threshold had been exceeded before 2050, Switzerland would have been required to withdraw from its free movement agreement with the European Union, ending access to the single market. The SVP argued the measure was needed to address pressures on infrastructure, housing, social programmes and the environment, citing a 23% population increase since the free movement agreement took effect in 2002.
Opponents, including the seven-member federal government and business groups, warned that a cap would harm the economy, threaten national stability and damage relations with Brussels. Pollster Urs Bieri noted that voters were concerned about negative consequences for EU relations and the labour market, as well as potential shortages of care and health workers.
Switzerland's population currently stands at 9.1 million, with about 27% of residents not holding Swiss citizenship. The referendum was the first of its kind globally, as no country has ever voted to limit its population. The SVP, which holds the most seats in parliament, has long used Switzerland's system of direct democracy to push anti-immigration initiatives.
