The population of Switzerland more than doubled over the course of the 20th century, rising from 3,315,443 in 1900 to 7,261,210 in 2000.

Improved health has been one of the factors in the dramatic rise. Infant mortality has fallen from about one in eight in 1900 to less than 4.5 per thousand at the end of the century, and former killer diseases like tuberculosis have practically disappeared.

As in other western countries, the birth rate fell during the 20th century.

Population figures are kept steady by an influx of immigrants.