How many people live in Switzerland (as of 2020)?
Wie viele Menschen leben in der Schweiz (Stand 2020)?
Correct answer: D
- A 600’000600’000
- B 12 million12 Millionen
- C 5 million5 Millionen
- D 8.6 million8.6 Millionen
Why
In 2020, about 8.6 million people lived in Switzerland. The population is growing mainly through immigration.
Exam answer: «8,6 Millionen» (as of 2020). Today: about 9.1 million (FSO, end of 2025, provisional).
Common mistakes
- C: 5 million
- Switzerland had 5 million inhabitants around 1950; today there are many more.
- B: 12 million
- 12 million is too many; even today Switzerland has only just over 9 million.
Topic
Population and share of foreigners
Today just over 9 million people live in Switzerland. The test often uses older figures «as of 2020». At that time there were about 8.6 million. Learn this figure for the test. The population is growing mainly because people immigrate from other countries.
Switzerland at a glance
Size, neighbours and population
Sources
Last checked: September 2026
Question 281 of the official question list of the Canton of Zurich (Gemeindeamt, May 2025). Translation and explanation: Swiss Passport.