Switzerland’s rate of natural increase (RNI)—the difference between birth and death rates, excluding migration—is notably low, reflecting broader demographic trends in Western Europe. As of recent years, Switzerland’s RNI hovers just above zero, indicating a very slow natural population growth. This is similar to neighboring Germany and Italy, both of which have negative or near-zero RNIs due to low birth rates and aging populations. France, by contrast, maintains a slightly higher RNI, thanks to a comparatively higher fertility rate and younger population structure. Austria’s RNI is also low, resembling Switzerland’s demographic pattern. Overall, Switzerland’s RNI is characteristic of affluent, developed European countries, where population growth is increasingly reliant on migration rather than natural increase.
| Year | Rate of Natural Increase | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 0.296 | 6,843,505 |
| 1995 | 0.262 | 7,164,212 |
| 2000 | 0.219 | 7,277,251 |
| 2005 | 0.158 | 7,448,225 |
| 2010 | 0.227 | 7,769,857 |
| 2015 | 0.223 | 8,118,683 |
| 2020 | 0.196 | 8,398,489 |
| 2024 | 0.188 | 8,618,565 |
| 2025 | 0.181 | 8,672,954 |
| 2026 | 0.172 | 8,726,779 |
| 2030 | 0.13 | 8,934,194 |
| 2035 | 0.076 | 9,172,236 |
| 2040 | 0.055 | 9,393,639 |
| 2045 | 0.049 | 9,610,596 |
| 2050 | 0.031 | 9,822,717 |
| 2055 | -0.008 | 10,020,522 |
| 2060 | -0.029 | 10,202,782 |
| 2065 | -0.028 | 10,379,876 |
| 2070 | -0.018 | 10,560,106 |
| 2075 | -0.007 | 10,746,038 |
| 2080 | 0 | 10,936,852 |
| 2085 | 0.008 | 11,131,528 |
| 2090 | 0.014 | 11,330,121 |
| 2095 | 0.019 | 11,531,933 |
| 2100 | 0.019 | 11,735,387 |
Data from US Census International Database