Population demographics refer to the statistical study of the structure and characteristics of a population, including factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, income, and more. Overtime, there is a shift in the percentage of foreigners in Switzerland, as well as their origin. In this project, an interactive 3D model of Switzerland is created, which topographically represents the proportion of foreign citizens. The aim is that when the viewer touches the model, information about the region they have touched is projected onto the wall.

Using datasets from the Swiss Federal Statistical Office from 2010 to 2022, the data was organised into percent values at the district level, showing the percentage of permanent and temporary foreign residents, and absolute values (number of individuals), focusing on the number of temporary foreign residents per canton. This method was chosen because the most significant demographic shifts over the years were observed among temporary residents.

The 3D population model uses the datasets from the latest released statistics (2022). The percentage values of the foreign residents (both permanent and temporary) in Switzerland were calculated at a district level. It is often easier to understand complex information when it is presented in a visual format. Topographic models intuitively convey information and provide geographical context, especially in a country like Switzerland, known for its diverse and mountainous landscapes. This topographic theme is reflected in the 3D model, material, and data visualisations.

Data from the Swiss Federal Statistical Office was analysed over 12 years for cantons Basel City, Ticino, Geneva, and Valais. For each canton, the maximum value for each citizenship was identified, and the top 15 citizenships with the highest values were selected. This approach highlights the citizenships of temporary foreign residents with the most significant demographic shifts.