In recent years, the topic of housing in Switzerland has become increasingly central: high costs, limited availability of accommodation, changes in family and work needs. In this context, the number of moves is also changing. Official data shows an interesting phenomenon: people are moving less, but the need for space is not decreasing.
According to data released by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), in 2024 only 9.3% of the Swiss population moved house, a stable share compared to 2023 but down by more than 10% compared to 2020. This means that more and more people are staying in the same home, even if they are facing new space requirements.
In this article we analyze the official FSO data and focus in particular on a key aspect: the relationship between moving and the size of the home. This leads to an increasingly relevant reflection: today it’s not always necessary to move to have more space. In many cases, solutions like Casaforte self storage can solve the problem in a more flexible, economical and less invasive way. And when the move becomes inevitable, Casaforte can still accompany and simplify the change.
FSO Data: Fewer Moves, a Structural Trend
According to the official FSO report, in 2024, 9.3% of the Swiss population moved, exactly the same share as in 2023. The most relevant data, however, is the comparison with previous years: since 2020, the propensity to change home has decreased by over 10%.
This decline mainly concerns people under 60, traditionally more mobile, whose moving frequency has dropped significantly. Marital status also plays a role: single people move almost twice as much as those who are married. In terms of nationality, Swiss citizens move house less frequently than foreigners.
Geographically, the cantons with the highest moving rate are Basel-City (11.3%) and Neuchâtel (10.6%), while those with the lowest rate are Nidwalden and Obwalden (7.4%). In Ticino, the share was 8.6%.
These numbers tell the story of a less mobile, more stable Switzerland, but not necessarily a more “comfortable” one in terms of living space.
Why Are People Moving Less? Costs, Uncertainty, and New Balances
The decrease in moves doesn’t mean people are completely satisfied with their homes. On the contrary, it’s often the result of a combination of factors:
- High rental costs, especially in urban areas
- Difficulty finding larger accommodation under sustainable conditions
- Greater work and family stability
- Economic uncertainty, which leads to postponing major decisions
Many therefore choose to stay in the same home, adapting it over time to new needs. This is exactly where the issue of space comes into play.
Moving as a Response to the Need for Space
According to the FSO, moves mainly happen due to a change in home size. The data becomes even more interesting if you look at the direction of the move:
- those moving from an urban municipality to a rural one gain an average of 17 square meters of living space;
- those doing the reverse lose an average of 24 square meters.
This confirms a well-known reality: moving is often seen as the only way to get more space. But is it really the only possible solution?
Do You Really Need to Move to Have More Space?
More and more people are realizing that the problem isn’t so much the home itself, but the accumulation of objects over time:
- family changes (children, separations, moving in together);
- new work needs (home office, professional equipment);
- hobbies and sports equipment;
- seasonal items;
- memories and sentimental belongings.
In many cases, the real need isn’t for a new home, but simply a bit more space, maybe just temporarily. That’s where Casaforte self storage becomes a real alternative to moving house.
Self storage as an alternative to moving
The Hotel of Things lets you separate the space issue from your living situation. Instead of changing house to gain a few extra square metres, you can virtually extend your home with an external box: a true extra room for your home.
The main advantages over moving
- No change of address
- Lower costs compared to renting a bigger place
- Total flexibility: space only when you need it
- Zero logistical and bureaucratic stress
With Casaforte’s temporary storage service, you can choose boxes of various sizes, access them whenever you want, and pay only for the time you need.
When self storage perfectly meets your space needs
There are many situations where self storage solves your problem without having to move:
- growing families who need extra space for a while;
- couples working from home;
- students going back home for the summer;
- people moving temporarily for work;
- anyone living in the city who doesn’t want to give up convenience or location.
In all these situations, the Hotel of Things becomes a kind of “smart extension” of your home.
And if moving really is inevitable?
There are still some situations where moving house is the best or only choice. Even then, self storage doesn’t lose its value in fact, quite the opposite.
Casaforte’s self storage often proves to be a strategic support during a move:
- for storing furniture and boxes between homes;
- for handling renovations or delays in handover;
- for organising a move in several stages;
- to avoid chaotic stopgap solutions.
This way, moving house becomes more organised, less stressful, and easier to manage over time.
From statistics to everyday life
UST figures show a clear trend: fewer people are moving house, but the need for space remains central. More and more people are seeking solutions that are flexible, reversible and less demanding than changing homes.
Self storage fits perfectly with this new way of living: it doesn’t replace your home, it completes it. Instead of forcing drastic decisions, it offers you time and freedom of choice.
Casaforte self storage: more space without moving
The decrease in moves in Switzerland doesn’t mean giving up comfort. Instead, it means rethinking the way we manage space.
Casaforte self storage lets you get more space without changing where you live and, when needed, face a move in a much simpler and more organised way.
In a country where every square metre counts, being able to choose when, how, and for how long to extend your living space truly makes all the difference.