Immigrants twice as likely to struggle financially as Swiss
Immigrants in Switzerland are twice as likely to struggle financially in comparison with locals, a new study has found.
The study showed immigrants were twice as likely to be in poverty than the Swiss.
Children of first generation immigrants were also more likely to be in poverty than children of second-generation immigrants (six percent compared with three percent).
READ: Immigrants trust the state and the police more than Swiss locals
As noted by the authors “The population with a migration background is on average financially and materially worse off than the population without a migration background.”
Immigrants were also far more likely to access social assistance.
READ: Who is allowed to travel to Switzerland from outside the EU?
While 2.3 percent of the local-born population accessed social assistance, 6.1 percent of immigrants did the same.
The report, compiled by Switzerland’s Federal Statistical Office, sought to compare the experience of Swiss locals and the country’s sizeable immigrant population.
An estimated 25 percent of Swiss residents are immigrants. In larger cities like Zurich, the rate of residents who do not hold a Swiss passport is almost 50 percent.
Struggles in finding appropriate housing
Immigrants or children of immigrants also struggle to find appropriate housing when compared to the Swiss.
Immigrants are three times more likely to live in a house suffering from material deprivation than those whose background is Swiss.
More than one in four (26 percent) of immigrants live in a neighbourhood which is perceived as “too noisy”.
Comments
See Also
The study showed immigrants were twice as likely to be in poverty than the Swiss.
Children of first generation immigrants were also more likely to be in poverty than children of second-generation immigrants (six percent compared with three percent).
READ: Immigrants trust the state and the police more than Swiss locals
As noted by the authors “The population with a migration background is on average financially and materially worse off than the population without a migration background.”
Immigrants were also far more likely to access social assistance.
READ: Who is allowed to travel to Switzerland from outside the EU?
While 2.3 percent of the local-born population accessed social assistance, 6.1 percent of immigrants did the same.
The report, compiled by Switzerland’s Federal Statistical Office, sought to compare the experience of Swiss locals and the country’s sizeable immigrant population.
An estimated 25 percent of Swiss residents are immigrants. In larger cities like Zurich, the rate of residents who do not hold a Swiss passport is almost 50 percent.
Struggles in finding appropriate housing
Immigrants or children of immigrants also struggle to find appropriate housing when compared to the Swiss.
Immigrants are three times more likely to live in a house suffering from material deprivation than those whose background is Swiss.
More than one in four (26 percent) of immigrants live in a neighbourhood which is perceived as “too noisy”.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.