Cross-border commuter boom in Geneva – growth and housing shortage
The Lake Geneva region is seeing a marked increase in cross-border commuters, reflecting the dynamic labour market but also exacerbating the existing housing shortage. A recent analysis by the Office of Economic Affairs sheds light on the background to this development and its impact on the metropolitan area.
The canton of Geneva is experiencing a sustained increase in the number of cross-border commuters who live in France and commute to work in Geneva. Between the first quarter of 2021 and the first quarter of 2024, the number of these cross-border commuters rose by 33,000 to a total of 399,000. This development was boosted by the Léman Express and the liberalisation of home office rules in 2023.
Rising share of cross-border commuters in the labour market
The number of cross-border commuters from France working in the Lake Geneva region has risen by 26% in the last three years. The share of cross-border commuters in the workforce rose from 13.2 percent in the first quarter of 2021 to 14.9 percent in the first quarter of 2024. This is due to the booming labour market, the housing shortage in Geneva and the more attractive housing costs in neighbouring France.
Impact of the Léman Express
The Léman Express, which opened in 2020, has made cross-border commuting much easier by reducing the journey time between Annemasse and Geneva’s main railway station by around 40 per cent. 70,000 commuters now use the Léman Express every day, giving it a market share of 43 per cent. This has led to a construction boom around the new railway stations and increased the attractiveness of cross-border commuting.
Housing market in Geneva and neighbouring regions
Geneva has been struggling with an acute housing shortage for years. The vacancy rate was just 0.4 per cent in 2023, while the supply rate of rental flats fell from 5.3 per cent to 4.2 per cent between 2021 and 2023. In comparison, housing costs are significantly lower in France, which encourages many workers to live there. However, this has also caused prices to rise in these areas.
Future developments and challenges
The population growth trend in the French part of the Geneva metropolitan area is expected to continue. From 2024 to 2030, annual population growth of 1 per cent is expected in the canton of Geneva, while the neighbouring French arrondissements are likely to exceed this figure. This will continue to pose challenges for infrastructure and the housing market on both sides of the border.
The Lake Geneva region faces the challenge of reconciling the dynamic labour market and the increasing number of cross-border commuters with the existing housing shortage. Innovative transport solutions such as the Léman Express and the liberalisation of home office regulations play a key role, but also require long-term strategies to tackle the housing market problem and ensure the sustainable development of the entire region.