Since the beginning of the 20th century, Switzerland’s population has almost tripled: from 3.3 million (1900) to 9.127 million (end of 2025). This results in a population density of 221 people per km² for Switzerland as a whole (end of 2025). The most densely populated municipality in Switzerland is Geneva, with 13,247 people per km². As might be expected, the least densely populated municipalities are found in the Alpine region: Guttannen (BE), Ferrera (GR), Campo Vallemaggia (TI) and Zwischbergen (VS). These four municipalities have a population density of just 1 person per km².

In 2025, 65 per cent, or 5.937 million, of the population lived in urban areas, 21.3 per cent, or 1.94 million, in areas influenced by urban centres (peri-urban zones), and only 13.7 per cent, or 1.25 million, outside the influence of urban centres (rural areas). In 2025, 39 per cent, or 3.572 million, of the Swiss population lived in the five largest city agglomerations: Zurich, Basel, Geneva, Bern and Lausanne.

All three region types have grown over the last ten years: urbanised areas grew the fastest, at 9.1 per cent; the areas within the sphere of influence of urban centres (peri-urban zones) grew by 8.3 per cent; and areas outside the sphere of influence of urban centres (rural areas) grew by 7.6 per cent. However, there are significant differences within rural areas. There are Alpine communities struggling with high levels of out-migration and an ageing population.