Lucerne statistics reveal rising foreign population and migration trends

Data released by the Lucerne Statistical Office (LUSTAT) for the end of 2025 shows that approximately one in four permanent residents of the Lucerne canton was born outside of Switzerland. Foreign nationals now constitute 21.9 percent of the population, up from 14.8 percent in 2000, though this remains below the Swiss national average of 27.7 percent.

There were 96,796 foreign residents in the canton at the end of 2025, representing individuals from 167 different countries. German nationals form the largest foreign community at 17.1 percent, followed by Italians at 10.2 percent. Citizens from Kosovo and Portugal also represent significant groups, each making up 8.3 percent of the foreign population.

Migration patterns in 2025 showed 6,273 people moving to Lucerne from abroad, while 5,126 residents left the canton. Germany recorded the highest positive migration balance, whereas Swiss citizens recorded the largest negative balance. Additionally, 145 Kosovar citizens were naturalized in the canton during 2025, the second-highest number after German nationals.