The Naturalization Mountains of Switzerland
Self initiated, 2016
In our first self-initiated research work with journalistic focus, we visualized a cantonal comparison of Swiss naturalization in 2015. We managed to represent two very different perspectives on the same dataset, ultimately demonstrating how data can be used to conveniently mislead or match a given viewpoint. Here we presented the full picture. One perspective is the number of naturalizations per 1000 inhabitants in a given canton. The other rather more obscure (and often overlooked) perspective is the number of naturalizations per 1000 foreigners with permanent residence in the canton. Each perspective provides a drastically different view.
For this project, Superdot observed all cantons in Switzerland, researched and analyzed all the necessary data relevant to the topic of naturalization. Each canton is represented with a triangle and shows various indicators for the naturalization metrics. The white “mountain” top represents the foreign resident population as a percentage. The grey area of the triangle indicates the population of Swiss citizens. Additionally, the triangles are sorted according to the number of naturalizations per 1000 general population. Sorting the triangles based on number of naturalizations per 1000 foreigners changes the order. As an example of these contrasting perspectives, Basel-Stadt granted a total of 1025 citizenships (grey dots) in 2015; measured against Basel’s population of 191,800, the canton ranks sixth of the 26 cantons. Considering the number of naturalizations compared to the number of foreigners, the rank is only 18.
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