Swiss voters reject cap on population growth to 10 million

Swiss voters have rejected a proposal to limit the country’s population to 10 million people. According to a projection released by the Swiss broadcaster SFR, 55% voted against the measure and 45% supported it, based on initial results from 17 of the country’s 26 cantons, including Zurich and Lucerne.

The initiative was put forward by the far-right Swiss People’s Party (SVP) and reflected a broader push in wealthy countries to impose much stricter immigration limits. Its backers argued that rapid population growth is straining public resources and causing problems such as high rents, crowded trains and overbuilding.

The government, most members of parliament and major companies opposed the plan, saying it would harm the economy and Switzerland’s wealth. A government study found that if it were approved, GDP at the end of the century would be 12% lower.

Swiss businesses said the measure, which they described as unprecedented in a modern economy, would cut off access to essential foreign workers. “We knew the vote would be close,” said Monika Rühl, chair of the Swiss business association. “We still need access to skilled workers from other countries.” Low taxes have helped make Switzerland home to global firms such as Nestlé and Novartis, and the country has one of the world’s highest concentrations of billionaires and a very high per capita GDP.