Switzerland is holding a national vote on Sunday championed by the main right-wing party to cap the country’s population at 10 million, a move that could jeopardise its relations with the European Union.

Final ballots were cast after the Swiss People’s Party (SVP) put forward the measure, which has been fueled by years of anti-migration sentiment. The initiative stems from concerns over immigration, pressure on public services, and housing shortages.

The constitutional change proposed by the SVP would mandate that Switzerland's population must not exceed 10 million by 2050. Official projections indicate the country is on track to reach this figure by the early 2040s. Results of the vote are expected to be announced later today.

If the population reaches 9.5 million before 2050, the government would be compelled to restrict asylum, family reunification, and residency permits. This could also necessitate the termination of Switzerland’s agreement with the EU on the free movement of people.

The SVP argues that the “sustainability initiative” is crucial because Switzerland’s infrastructure, housing, social programmes, natural resources, and overall way of life have been strained by continuous demographic growth. However, the federal government and parliament have voiced opposition to the proposal.

Critics of the population cap contend that immigration over the past generation has supplied essential foreign labour and skills to vital sectors, including healthcare, finance, pharmaceuticals, and technology. Some also fear that the proposal, if approved, would weaken critical economic ties with Brussels, as the EU is Switzerland’s primary trading partner.

Even some within the SVP acknowledge that the proposal is not intended to end free movement entirely but rather to serve as a "wake-up call." Heinz Taennler, an SVP politician and finance director for the canton of Zug, stated that while another million people could still immigrate, the government needs to implement measures.

Swiss democracy allows citizens direct influence on policymaking through referendums, which are typically held four times a year. Data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development revealed that in 2024, Switzerland had a foreign-born population of 32 percent, a figure surpassed only by Luxembourg and Australia among the OECD's 38 member nations.