Cross-Border Workers Number Breaks Record In Switzerland

Increase of Cross-Border Workers

                Each day this year as much as 325,000 cross-border workers were commuting to work to Switzerland from neighbouring countries. It is a record high number. Last year there was observed small decrease in cross-border workers number, but it looks the Swiss labour market is again highly popular and attractive lot of commuters form France, Germany, Italy. According to research each day 325,291 cross-border workers arrived to work in Switzerland in third quarter of 2019 which is significantly more than the previous historic number of 316,491 from 2017. Stable labour market, economy and Euro Franc exchange rate in Switzerland are factors attracting cross-border workers, according to experts.

Ticino and Geneva On The Lead

                When it comes to specific cantons, Ticino and Geneva were the most popular among new cross-border workers. Canton Ticino was on the lead with the most new foreign employees arriving each day to work, and Geneva followed closely. Situation of cross-border market is stable in Zurich, whereas in Basel recently was observed a small drop in cross-border workers traffic. Analysts claims that in Geneva and Ticino the recruitment pool is relatively small, which means that in times of good economic situation, these regions need to look up for employees abroad in neighbouring Italy or France. Additionally housing matters play a huge role as it is much cheaper and easier find accommodation in the german speaking part of Switzerland than in the Geneva region.

Most Cross-Border Workers Come From Italy, France

                The huge increase in cross-border workers was observed among French and Italian residents. There were up 7,166 French residents commuting to work to Switzerland and plus 5,551 Italian ones. Not much has changed among German residents – increase of 25 cross-border workers. The reason for that is the fact that labour market is quite stable in Germany, at least more than in France and Italy, in terms of wages and the unemployment rate. Also, the German market is more flexible with fewer constraints to permanent job contract and purchasing power is better in Germany. This is why it is less attractive for Germans to commute to work every day across the border than it is to Italians or French.

Glum Outlook for Swiss Labour Market

                Meanwhile the general forecast for labour market in Switzerland in short-term looks rather poor, as per analysis of the Swiss Economic Institute at the federal technology institute ETH in Zurich. Indicators of employment in industry sector have especially fallen drastically. There is more optimism when it comes to construction, banking and services employment levels. It is believed that the global economic slowdown has reached Switzerland and is beginning to affect the economy and labour market. Will this be applicable also to cross-border workers – hard to say, depends on the economic, labour situation in the neighbouring countries.