Die Erfindung des „Migrationshintergrunds“: die transnationale Geschichte einer statistischen Kategorie am Beispiel der Schweiz in den 1990er- und 2000er-Jahren

Abstract

The introduction of the term “migration background” was a pivotal moment in the debates on immigration in Switzerland within a transnational context in the early 2000s. This paper explores the historical evolution and implications of this category, which was introduced by the Swiss Federal Statistical Office in the 1990s to more accurately reflect demographic changes resulting from global migration. The adoption of the term was driven by the need to consider intergenerational integration processes beyond mere citizenship status. The study highlights the role of national and international statistical practices, as well as the socio-political debates that have shaped the understanding and application of the phrase “migration background” in public discourse, social practices, and policy. Adopting a post-migrant perspective, the contribution underscores the ambivalence of the term, which simultaneously made the diverse realities of immigration more visible while perpetuating distinctions that could lead to exclusion. Using the Swiss example, the paper provides insights into the broader European context and the transnational dimensions of migration and integration policies and their histories.

Keywords: migration, migration background, integration, immigration, history, statistics, Switzerland, EU, policy, demography, population, second gen-eration

Schlagworte: migration, migration background, integration, immigration, history, statistics, EU, Switzerland, policy, demography, population, second generation