Am Ring's green space ranks third among Basel neighborhoods.

April 30, 2026

Am Ring is an average-sized Basel neighborhood with a distinctive ring-like shape and an exceptionally high share of green space, ranking 3rd in the city. Its population is notably diverse with 40.6 percent foreign nationals, and it features a balanced age structure, low welfare and unemployment rates, but a fairly transient population.

Photo: Juri Weiss, Steinenring, 2012, on Multimedia-Datenbank BS, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0..

Am Ring is home to 11,476 people across 0.9 square kilometers, making it an average-sized neighborhood in Basel. It lies along the path of the former outer city wall, and its name comes from its ring-like shape.

The most distinctive feature of Am Ring is its exceptionally high share of green space. With 24.3 percent of its area covered in greenery, it ranks 3rd among all Basel neighborhoods, far above the city average. This verdant character is no accident: the quarter is filled with terraced houses and gardens, giving it a uniquely leafy feel within the urban fabric.

The population of Am Ring is notably diverse, with 40.6 percent foreign nationals, placing it 10th out of 21 neighborhoods. The youth dependency ratio is 23.2 percent, ranking 14th, while the old-age dependency ratio is 30.0 percent, ranking 13th, indicating a fairly balanced age structure with a slight tilt toward older residents. The neighborhood's buildings date from an average construction year of 1921, reflecting its historic development along the old city wall.

Socially and economically, Am Ring presents a mixed picture. The share of welfare recipients is just 2.6 percent, ranking 4th lowest, suggesting relative affluence and employment stability. The unemployment rate is also low at 3.3 percent, ranking 7th. At the same time, the share of long-term residents is only 28.5 percent, ranking 16th, indicating a fairly transient population. The share of single-person households is 26.9 percent, ranking 10th, which is close to the city average and suggests a mix of singles and families. The Gymnasium attendance rate is 50.3 percent, ranking 8th, pointing to a moderately high educational aspiration among families.

Over time, the share of single-person households in Am Ring has increased meaningfully, rising from 24.5 percent in 2010 to 26.9 percent in 2024. This trend reflects a gradual shift toward more people living alone, consistent with broader urban lifestyle changes.


Table 1: Summary of Neighbourhood Indicators for Am Ring 2024
Metric Unit Value rank
Welfare recipient rate % 2.6 8
Share of foreign nationals % 40.6 12
Share of persons living alone % 26.9 12
Gymnasium attendance rate [%] % 50.3 14
Old-age dependency ratio % 30.0 9
Share of long-term residents % 28.5 4
Youth dependency ratio % 23.2 8
Share of single-family homes % 19.3 12
Share of green space % 24.3 10
Floor space per apartment 81.6 13
Living space per person (m²) 44.9 13
Unemployment rate % 3.3 9

Figure 1: Location of Am Ring

Figure 2: Squaremeter living area per capita in Basel-Stadt

Figure 3: Radar Chart of Neighborhood-Indicators for Am Ring

Figure 4: Ranking of Old age Dependecy Rate

Data source: Kennzahlen zu den Basler Wohnvierteln und Landgemeinden
Additional resources: Wohnviertel-App, Wohnviertel (bs.ch)

🤖 This text was generated with the assistance of AI. All quantitative statements are derived directly from the dataset listed under Data Source.