In Switzerland, 67% of the prison population in 2023 consisted of foreign nationals, according to the Swiss Federal Statistical Office. With 9,297 people incarcerated last year, the statistic underscores the growing challenges linked to immigration and crime.
Since the 1980s, the share of foreign prisoners has tripled. While the percentage has remained stable in recent years, the total number of inmates has increased significantly. Men account for 90.6% of prisoners, with women comprising only 9.4%.
The majority of inmates are serving short sentences for minor offenses, such as petty theft, or are jailed for failing to pay fines. These factors contribute to the overall growth in the prison population.
Data from 2020 revealed that Algerians and Romanians made up the largest groups of foreign inmates. Many of the prisoners are non-EU nationals, despite Switzerland’s significant European immigrant population.
Similar issues exist in other European countries. In Germany, over half the prison population is foreign-born, costing taxpayers billions annually. These trends have intensified debates about immigration policies and their impact on public resources.
Switzerland’s high percentage of foreign prisoners raises questions about integration, border control, and the effectiveness of its justice system. The data points to the need for comprehensive reforms to address these growing challenges.
