Cross-border commuters in Switzerland on the rise, but decrease in Ticino

Post on: 10.11.2024

At the end of September 2024, the number of cross-border commuters employed in Switzerland reached 403' 000, with an increase of 2.4% compared to the third quarter of 2023 and an impressive growth of 19% compared to 2019, when they were 339,000,

However, the Canton of Ticino stands out for an opposite trend compared to the rest of the country: the number of cross-border commuters is the same; decreased year-on-year 1.3%, standing at 79' 303 people.

Who are cross-border commuters?

Cross-border commuters are workers who reside in a country bordering Switzerland, but travel to Switzerland every day to work. This category is; composed mainly of people who reside in the regions close to the border and who cross the border daily for work reasons.

Cross-border commuters have a G permit, which allows them to work in Switzerland while maintaining their residence at the abroad.

Origin of cross-border commuters

According to data published by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), the majority of cross-border commuters come from France (57.4%), followed by Italy (23%) and Germany (16.4%). This reflects the geographical proximity of the main population centres in France and Germany to the large Swiss industrial and financial centres, such as Geneva, Basel and Zurich.

As far as Ticino is concerned, on the other hand, the majority of cross-border commuters come from the Italy, in particular from the provinces of Como, Varese and Verbano-Cusio-Ossola.

Why; Ticino è bucking the trend?

While the number of cross-border commuters is growing steadily at national level, the decline recorded in Ticino deserves a special mention. more ù Thorough. Possible reasons include:

Improvement in working conditions in Italy: In recent years, some Italian provinces bordering Ticino have experienced a slight economic recovery, offering more and more Opportunities local work activities. This may have prompted some cross-border commuters to stay in their country of residence.

Tightening tax regulations and changes in contracts: Recent tax agreements between Switzerland and Italy have changed the taxation conditions for cross-border commuters, making it less advantageous for certain categories of workers to work across borders.

Increasing competition in the labour market: Ticino companies are facing increasing competition, both internally and externally, with a greater emphasis on finding local labor. In addition, the Introduction of policies that encourage the hiring residents may have had an impact on the number of cross-border commuters employed.

An ever-changing phenomenon

The phenomenon of cross-border commuters in Switzerland è constantly evolving, influenced by economic, political and social dynamics both nationally and internationally.

Cross-border commuters play a crucial role in the Swiss economy, especially in border areas where their presence helps to fill labour gaps in specific sectors, such as the manufacturing industry, the construction and services.

However, the decline in cross-border commuters in Ticino could suggest that we are witnessing a phase of transformation. It will be interesting to see how it evolves— The situation in the coming months, especially in light of new economic policies that could affect the cross-border labour market.