Swiss voters to decide on capping the population at 10 million

Swiss citizens will vote on Sunday in a referendum on a proposal to cap the country’s population at 10 million. The initiative comes from the right-wing Swiss People’s Party and is aimed at limiting immigration, easing pressure on the health care and housing systems, and lowering prices.

If approved, the government would be required to take steps to keep the population at or below 10 million by 2050. If the population reaches 9.5 million before then, stricter limits would have to be introduced on family reunification, residence permits and asylum. If the 10 million threshold is exceeded before 2050, Switzerland would have to withdraw from its free-movement agreement with the European Union.

The vote comes after rapid population growth in recent years. Switzerland’s population rose from 7.3 million in 2002 to 9.1 million today, and 27% of residents were born abroad. Many Swiss residents say the growth has increased strain on health care, housing, education and public transport, while also driving prices higher.

Under Swiss law, major decisions are made directly in referendums, and campaigners need only 100,000 signatures to force a nationwide vote. Polls ahead of the ballot show a tight race, with 52% saying they plan to oppose the proposal and 45% saying they will support it, though many voters remain undecided.