Switzerland to Hold Referendum on Capping Population at 10 Million
The Swiss public will begin a referendum on Sunday (14/06/2026) to determine whether they agree to a maximum population limit of 10 million people for the country. This population restriction referendum has been compared to the Brexit moment in the United Kingdom, as it could have far-reaching consequences for the economy, immigration, and Switzerland’s relationship with the European Union.
The right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP) has proposed a constitutional amendment requiring that the population does not exceed 10 million by 2050. Official projections indicate that this figure could be reached as early as the early 2040s. The proposal is driven by Swiss concerns regarding immigration and the resulting pressure on public services and housing.
Reuters noted that such a plan and scheme for population restriction is unprecedented, though the effort aligns with the rise of right-wing political movements across Europe. Right-wing groups in Europe are also seeking stricter immigration controls, driven by dissatisfaction regarding the cost of living, weak economic growth, and crime.
“If it exceeds 10 million, a crisis will occur, and immigration must be limited,” said Helen Gulea, a 58-year-old Kenyan tailor and part-time kiosk worker in Zurich, who cast her vote via mail in favour of the restriction.
Voting results are expected to begin arriving on Sunday (14/06/2026) at midday local time, or approximately 17:00 Western Indonesia Time. If the proposal is approved via the referendum, it could lead Switzerland to terminate the free movement of labour agreement with the European Union, which currently supplies a large portion of the country’s workforce.
Furthermore, Reuters reported that the current Swiss population is dominated by an ageing demographic, with the population already exceeding 9 million, and polls show public opinion is currently split. While previous surveys showed support for the proposal, the most recent survey indicates public opinion tends to oppose the restriction.
Patrick Leisibach, a migration expert at the think-tank Avenir Suisse, stated that concerns have now spread that overpopulation is straining public infrastructure to its limits. “There are traditional anti-immigration voices on the right, but recently even many on the left are feeling the pressure,” he said.
Swiss voters often reject measures perceived to harm long-term economic interests, though this tendency is becoming less predictable. In 2014, voters defied expectations by passing an SVP-backed proposal to limit EU immigration by a narrow margin, though its impact was later diluted during the legislative process.
However, several SVP figures have stated that this proposal is not intended to end freedom of movement, but rather to serve as a warning. “I do not want freedom of movement to end,” said Heinz Taennler, an SVP politician and finance director of the canton of Zug. “Another one million people can still immigrate to Switzerland, but the government needs to take action.”