ABSTRACT
Various papers published in Switzerland and elsewhere in Europe have highlighted an
improvement in the living conditions of new cohorts reaching retirement age. This paper
examines whether this general trend to old age democratization applies also to elderly
immigrants. It reviews some dimensions of the older immigrant population situation in
Switzerland. It explores mainly their socio-economic and health situation. The article
also examines their access to social security and to social services for elderly people. It
reports selected findings from two original surveys carried in Switzerland in the 1990s
(Pre-Retired Immigrants study, PRI) and the 2000s (Minority Elderly Care study, MEC)
on older Italian, Spanish and former Yugoslavians citizens who are residents in the
country. The article gives also more general information about Swiss social security and
social work with older populations.
