Which municipality in canton Obwalden is shrinking fastest?

Engelberg: -0.9 % population in 2025 — the steepest decline of any municipality in canton Obwalden. Source: FSO (BEVNAT).

Why do some municipalities shrink?

The year’s population change comes from births, deaths and in/out-migration (FSO BEVNAT). When deaths and departures outweigh births and arrivals, the population falls. The percentage makes small and large municipalities comparable.

Ranking · Data 2025 · Source: BFS

The fastest-shrinking municipalities in canton Obwalden

National ranking →

Engelberg is shrinking fastest in canton Obwalden: its population fell -0.9 % in 2025. Next come Sachseln (0 %) and Sarnen (0.4 %). The basis is the year’s population change. Source: FSO (BEVNAT).

Ranking

BFS · 2025

Rank	Municipality	Population change	Residents
1	Engelberg	-0.9%	4'377
2	Sachseln	0%	5'300
3	Sarnen	0.4%	10'906
4	Giswil	0.6%	4'013
5	Kerns	0.7%	6'557
6	Alpnach	1.3%	6'594
7	Lungern	2.9%	2'132

BEVNAT (Statistik der natürlichen Bevölkerungsbewegung) 2025 · Federal Statistical Office (FSO), retrieved 11.09.2026

How we measure this

BFS

Change in the permanent resident population during calendar year 2025, in percent of the population on 1 January, from the FSO statistics on natural population movement (BEVNAT) and migration. This ranking shows the same measure from the other end: the steepest declines first. A negative value means shrinkage.

Frequently asked questions

Which municipality in canton Obwalden is shrinking fastest?: Engelberg: -0.9 % population in 2025 — the steepest decline of any municipality in canton Obwalden. Source: FSO (BEVNAT).
Why do some municipalities shrink?: The year’s population change comes from births, deaths and in/out-migration (FSO BEVNAT). When deaths and departures outweigh births and arrivals, the population falls. The percentage makes small and large municipalities comparable.