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Switzerland
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Switzerland
Overview of the education system (EAG 2022)
  • Between 2000 and 2021, the share of 25-34 year-olds with tertiary attainment in Switzerland increased at an even faster pace than on average across OECD countries, by 27 percentage points (from 26% in 2000 to 52% in 2021).
  • In Switzerland, 52% of 25-34 year-olds had a tertiary qualification in 2021 compared to 47% on average across OECD countries.
  • In 2020, 49% of 3-5 year-olds in Switzerland were enrolled in early childhood education programmes education in Switzerland, compared to 83% on average across OECD countries. The share of children enrolled in private institutions at pre-primary level was 5%.
  • In Switzerland, the share of women among general upper secondary graduates is 57% (OECD average 55%). Men make up 56% of all vocational upper secondary graduates, slightly above the OECD average (55%).
  • The share of part-time students at the tertiary level in Switzerland is 26%, above the OECD average (22%). Compared to 2013, it has increased by 2 percentage points.
  • Based on official regulations or agreements,annual teaching hours in Switzerland are 788 hours per year at pre-primary level, 806 hours at primary level, 750 hours at lower secondary level (general programmes) and 638 hours at upper secondary level (general programmes).
    • | Education at a Glance 2022 | Country Note | Annexes from Education at a Glance 2022 | OECD Handbook for Internationally Comparative Education Statistics 2018 | Schweizerische Konferenz der kantonalen Erziehungsdirektoren/Conférence suisse des directeurs cantonaux de l'instruction publique/Conferenza svizzera dei direttori cantonali della pubblica educazione (Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education) | Staatssekretariat für Bildung, Forschung und Innovation/Secrétariat d'Etat à la formation, à la recherche et à l'innovation/Segreteria di Stato per la formazione, la ricerca e l'innovazione (State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation) | Statistik Schweiz/Statistique suisse/Statistica svizzera (Swiss Statistics) |
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    The following list displays indicators for which your selected country shows the highest and lowest values among countries. The list can be sorted by level of education or by age group. All rankings are calculated including available data from OECD and partner countries. Find out more about the methodology here.

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    Educational outcomes

    In Switzerland, the share of first-time graduates in general programmes at upper secondary level is comparatively low. (32.8 %, rank 33/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Attainment

    The level of below upper secondary attainment among 25-34 year-olds is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (8.2 %, rank 33/42 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The proportion of 25-64 year-olds who attained a doctoral or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the highest among countries with available data. (3 %, rank 3/37 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the share of 25-34 year-olds who attained a bachelor's or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the highest among countries with available data. (29.9 %, rank 10/43 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the share of 25-34 year-olds who attained a doctoral or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the highest among countries with available data. (2.3 %, rank 3/34 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the share of 25-34 year-olds who attained a master's or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the highest among countries with available data. (20.1 %, rank 9/39 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Attainment by gender

    The proportion of 25-34 year-old men who have attained tertiary education is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (50.3 %, rank 8/43 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The share of 25-34 year-old men who attained below upper secondary education in Switzerland is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (8.1 %, rank 35/42 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Attainment by field of education

    The percentage of 25-64 year-olds with tertiary education who studied in the field of humanities (except languages), social sciences, journalism and information is one of the lowest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (7.1 %, rank 24/29 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The percentage of 25-64 year-olds with tertiary education who studied in the field of arts and humanities, social sciences, journalism and information is one of the lowest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (12.1 %, rank 29/31 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The percentage of 25-64 year-olds with tertiary education who studied in the field of business, administration and law is one of the highest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (28.6 %, rank 7/31 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The percentage of 25-64 year-olds with tertiary education who studied in the field of health (medical and dental) is one of the lowest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (3.2 %, rank 11/14 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Participation in education

    The enrolment rate of 6-14 year-olds in Switzerland is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (99.9 %, rank 10/43 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The proportion of upper secondary students enrolled in vocational programmes is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (62.9 %, rank 7/42 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The percentage of three-year-olds in early childhood education in Switzerland is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (2.3 %, rank 37/37 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The percentage of four-year-olds in early childhood and primary education in Switzerland is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (49.1 %, rank 35/37 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The percentage of students in independent private tertiary educational institutions is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (8.3 %, rank 22/31 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the share of part-time students in short-cycle programmes is relatively large. (93.8 %, rank 1/28 , 2018) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the share of part-time students in bachelor's programmes is relatively large. (31.3 %, rank 4/34 , 2018) Download Indicator

    The percentage of 3-5 year-old children in early childhood and primary education in Switzerland is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (49.7 %, rank 35/37 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the enrolment rate of children under 3 is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0 %, rank 34/37 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of upper secondary 15-19-year-old students enrolled in vocational programmes is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (59.2 %, rank 5/41 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of students enrolled in school- and work-based programmes among all upper secondary students enrolled in vocational programmes is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (90.5 %, rank 5/22 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The enrolment rate of students aged 17 in general upper secondary programmes in Switzerland is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (35.3 %, rank 34/42 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The enrolment rate of students aged 17 in post-secondary non-tertiary programmes in Switzerland is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0.4 %, rank 5/30 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The enrolment rate of students aged 17 in vocational upper secondary programmes in Switzerland is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (53.9 %, rank 4/38 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The enrolment rate of students aged 18 tertiary programmes in Switzerland is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0 %, rank 24/33 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The enrolment rate of students aged 18 in vocational upper secondary programmes in Switzerland is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (51.3 %, rank 3/38 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The enrolment rate of students aged 19 in general upper secondary programmes in Switzerland is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (14.5 %, rank 6/42 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The enrolment rate of students aged 19 tertiary programmes in Switzerland is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0.1 %, rank 29/33 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The enrolment rate of students aged 19 in vocational upper secondary programmes in Switzerland is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (33.4 %, rank 3/38 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The enrolment rate of students aged 20 in general upper secondary programmes in Switzerland is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (7 %, rank 6/41 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The enrolment rate of students aged 20 tertiary programmes in Switzerland is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0.1 %, rank 30/33 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The enrolment rate of students aged 20 in vocational upper secondary programmes in Switzerland is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (17.5 %, rank 4/37 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The proportion of women among the new entrants in master's programmes in Switzerland is relatively low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (51.4 %, rank 36/39 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the percentage of students enrolled in private institutions at all early childhood education level is comparatively low. (5.1 %, rank 34/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the percentage of students enrolled in private institutions at pre-primary level is comparatively low. (5.1 %, rank 42/43 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Graduation

    The percentage of first-time graduates in vocational programmes at upper secondary level is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (67.2 %, rank 4/35 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of long first degree master's graduates in public institutions is relatively high in Switzerland. (100 %, rank 1/21 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of first-time short-cycle graduates is relatively low in Switzerland. (0.5 %, rank 25/27 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The percentage of first-time bachelor's graduates is relatively high in Switzerland. (99.5 %, rank 3/31 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The percentage of first-time master's graduates is relatively low in Switzerland. (0 %, rank 23/24 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Graduation by gender

    The share of female graduates from upper secondary general programmes is one of the smallest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (48.9 %, rank 32/40 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Among OECD and partner countries with available data, Switzerland has one of the smallest shares of women graduates from tertiary programmes. (51 %, rank 34/35 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the share of female doctoral graduates in the field of business, administration and law is relatively low. (39.5 %, rank 34/41 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the proportion of male tertiary graduates in the field of social sciences, journalism and information is relatively small. (4.4 %, rank 37/41 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the share of male tertiary graduates in the field of business, administration and law is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (29.7 %, rank 10/41 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Graduation by age

    The average age of upper secondary graduates from general programmes in Switzerland is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data (20 Years, rank 5/38 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the percentage of first-time short-cycle tertiary graduates younger than 30 is relatively low. (35 %, rank 27/28 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Graduation by field of education

    The percentage of tertiary graduates in the field of information and communication technologies is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (2.9 %, rank 36/40 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of doctoral graduates in the field of education in Switzerland is relatively small. (1.5 %, rank 37/42 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of doctoral graduates in the field of arts and humaties in Switzerland is relatively small. (7.1 %, rank 36/42 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of doctoral graduates in the field of Natural sciences, mathematics and statistics in Switzerland is relatively large. (29.8 %, rank 6/42 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of doctoral graduates in the field of health and welfare in Switzerland is relatively large. (26.9 %, rank 9/42 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the proportion of upper secondary vocational graduates in the field of business, aministration and law is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (32 %, rank 2/33 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Fields of education

    In Switzerland, the percentage of new entrants to tertiary education in the field of information and communication technologies (ICTs) is relatively low. (3.8 %, rank 30/35 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of female who enter tertiary education in the field of business, administration and law is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (47.9 %, rank 33/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of female who enter tertiary education in the field of information and communication technologies (ICTs) is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (14.2 %, rank 30/35 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of female who enter tertiary education in the field of engineering, manufacturing and construction is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (19.2 %, rank 34/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the share of new entrants in short-cycle tertiary programmes in the field of information and communication technologies is relatively small. (0 %, rank 26/30 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the share of women among new entrants in bachelor's programmes in the field of engineering, manufacturing and construction is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (16.9 %, rank 34/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the share of women among new entrants in bachelor's programmes in the field of information and communication technologies is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (12.6 %, rank 32/35 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the share of women among new entrants in bachelor's programmes in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (23.7 %, rank 32/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of female students entering master's or equivalent programmes in education in Switzerland is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (67.1 %, rank 32/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of female students entering master's or equivalent programmes in engineering, manufacturing and construction in Switzerland is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (24.6 %, rank 34/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of female students entering master's or equivalent programmes in information and communication technologies in Switzerland is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (18.5 %, rank 31/35 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of female students entering master's or equivalent programmes in natural sciences, mathematics and statistics in Switzerland is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (45.4 %, rank 32/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of female students entering master's or equivalent programmes in Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in Switzerland is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (31.7 %, rank 31/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of female students entering short cycle tertiary programmes in engineering, manufacturing and construction in Switzerland is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (5.4 %, rank 30/30 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of female students entering short cycle tertiary programmes in Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in Switzerland is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (5.4 %, rank 30/30 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of male students entering master's or equivalent programmes in natural sciences, mathematics and statistics in Switzerland is one of the largest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (54.6 %, rank 5/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the share of men among new entrants in bachelor's programmes in the field of information and communication technologies is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (87.4 %, rank 4/35 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the share of men among new entrants in bachelor's programmes in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (76.3 %, rank 4/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of male students entering master's or equivalent programmes in education in Switzerland is one of the largest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (32.9 %, rank 5/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of male students entering master's or equivalent programmes in engineering, manufacturing and construction in Switzerland is one of the largest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (75.4 %, rank 3/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of male students entering master's or equivalent programmes in information and communication technologies in Switzerland is one of the largest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (81.5 %, rank 5/35 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of male students entering master's or equivalent programmes in Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in Switzerland is one of the largest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (68.3 %, rank 6/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of male students entering short-cycle tertiary programmes in education in Switzerland is one of the smallest compared to other OECD countries and partner economies. (7.2 %, rank 19/22 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the percentage of new entrants to doctoral programmes in the field of arts and humanities is relatively low, compared to other countries with available data. (8.6 %, rank 30/34 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the percentage of new entrants to doctoral programmes in the field of education is relatively low, compared to other countries with available data. (1.7 %, rank 30/34 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the percentage of new entrants to doctoral programmes in the field of engineering, manufacturing and construction is relatively low, compared to other countries with available data. (12.8 %, rank 30/34 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the percentage of new entrants to doctoral programmes in the field of health and welfare is relatively high, compared to other countries with available data. (25.9 %, rank 5/34 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the percentage of new entrants to doctoral programmes in the field of natural sciences, mathematics and statistics is relatively high. (27.3 %, rank 4/34 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Student mobility

    Switzerland has one of the largest proportion of international or foreign students enrolled in tertiary education among OECD and partner countries with available data. (18.1 %, rank 5/44 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of international students entering short-cycle tertiary programmes is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0 %, rank 28/31 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The percentage of national tertiary students enrolled abroad in Switzerland is relatively high. (6.7 %, rank 8/38 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the share of international and foreign students enrolled in doctoral or equivalent programmes is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with avaialble data. (56.6 %, rank 2/38 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the proportion of new international entrants in master's long first degree (LFD) programmes is relatively low. (3.1 %, rank 15/21 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the proportion of international graduates among first-time short-cycle tertiary first-time graduates is relatively low. (0 %, rank 22/26 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the proportion of international graduates among bachelor's first-time graduates is relatively high. (7.5 %, rank 10/30 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the proportion of international graduates among first-time doctorate graduates is relatively high. (57.8 %, rank 2/30 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The proportion of international students among the new entrants in master's programmes in Switzerland is relatively high compared to other OECD and partner countries. (32 %, rank 5/35 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the proportion of international or foreign students enrolled in master's programmes is one of the largest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (29.5 %, rank 5/38 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the proportion of international or foreign students enrolled in short-cycle tertiary programmes is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (0 %, rank 31/34 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the number of international or foreign students for every hundred national students home or abroad is comparatively high. (21 Students, rank 5/38 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the percentage of international or foreign students coming from neighbouring countries is comparatively high . (54 Students, rank 8/45 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the share of international or foreign students enrolled in bachelor's programmes among women is relatively high compared to other OECD and partner countries. (9.8 %, rank 9/37 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the share of international or foreign students enrolled in doctoral or equivalent programmes among men is relatively high compared to other OECD and partner countries. (57.6 %, rank 2/37 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the share of international or foreign students enrolled in doctoral or equivalent programmes among women is relatively high compared to other OECD and partner countries. (55.5 %, rank 2/37 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the share of international or foreign students enrolled in master's programmes among men is relatively high compared to other OECD and partner countries. (29.3 %, rank 6/37 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the share of international or foreign students enrolled in master's programmes among women is relatively high compared to other OECD and partner countries. (29.6 %, rank 5/37 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the share of international or foreign students enrolled in short-cycle tertiary programmes among men is relatively low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (0 %, rank 29/33 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the share of international or foreign students enrolled in short-cycle tertiary programmes among women is relatively low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (0 %, rank 29/33 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the share of international or foreign students enrolled in tertiary education among men is relatively high compared to other OECD and partner countries. (18.3 %, rank 7/43 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the share of international or foreign students enrolled in tertiary education among women is relatively high compared to other OECD and partner countries. (18 %, rank 5/43 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Student mobility by field of education

    The percentage of students enrolled in the field of natural sciences, mathematics and statistics among all international or foreign tertiary students in Switzerland is relatively high. (17.2 %, rank 1/33 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the share of students enrolled in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics among all international or foreign students is relatively high compared to other OECD and partner countries. (39.7 %, rank 5/33 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Expenditure per student

    Annual expenditure per student on research and development in tertiary education is one of the highest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (17528 USD Equivalent, rank 2/33 , 2019) Download Indicator

    The public expenditure per full-time equivalent student from primary to tertiary education is relatively high in Switzerland. (18960 USD Equivalent, rank 2/36 , 2019) Download Indicator

    The public expenditure on public educational institutions per full-time equivalent student at tertiary level is comparatively high in Switzerland. (30085 USD Equivalent, rank 2/35 , 2019) Download Indicator

    Expenditure in education and national wealth

    At tertiary level, the public expenditure as a percentage of GDP from initial source of funds is comparatively high in Switzerland. (1.3 %, rank 5/29 , 2019) Download Indicator

    Public and private expenditure in education

    In Switzerland, total public expenditure on primary through tertiary educational institutions as a percentage of total public expenditure is comparatively high. (13.5 %, rank 6/42 , 2019) Download Indicator

    Teachers

    The number of hours per year lower secondary teachers spend teaching in public institutions is comparatively high in Switzerland. (750 Hours, rank 10/33 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The number of hours per year pre-primary teachers spend teaching in public institutions is comparatively low in Switzerland. (788 Hours, rank 21/27 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Who the teachers are

    The share of women among teaching staff in lower secondary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (56.3 %, rank 34/40 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of women among teaching staff in upper secondary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (45.8 %, rank 39/42 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of women among teaching staff in tertiary education (bachelor's, master's, doctorate or equivalent education) is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (35.8 %, rank 29/32 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of women among teaching staff in tertiary education is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (35.8 %, rank 35/38 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of women among teaching staff is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (61.9 %, rank 30/33 , 2019) Download Indicator

    The share of women among teaching staff in general upper secondary education in Switzerland is relatively small. (49 %, rank 32/32 , 2019) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the share of women among teaching staff in vocational upper secondary education is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (44.2 %, rank 29/29 , 2019) Download Indicator

    The percentage of female teachers aged 50 or more in lower secondary education is especially low in Switzerland. (52.6 %, rank 32/35 , 2019) Download Indicator

    The percentage of female teachers aged 50 or more in upper secondary education is especially low in Switzerland. (41.3 %, rank 34/37 , 2019) Download Indicator

    The percentage of female teachers aged 50 or more in tertiary education is especially low in Switzerland. (30.4 %, rank 30/33 , 2019) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the share of bachelor's, master's and doctoral level teachers older than 50 is relatively high, compared to other countries with data available. (48.9 %, rank 6/29 , 2019) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the share of tertiary teachers older than 50 is relatively high, compared to other countries with data available. (48.9 %, rank 4/32 , 2019) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the share of bachelor's, master's and doctoral level teachers younger than 30 is relatively low, compared to other countries with data available. (2.2 %, rank 25/29 , 2019) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the share of tertiary teachers younger than 30 is relatively low, compared to other countries with data available. (2.2 %, rank 29/32 , 2019) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the share of bachelor's, master's and doctoral level female teachers older than 50 is relatively low, compared to other countries with data available. (30.4 %, rank 27/30 , 2019) Download Indicator

    Teachers' salaries progression

    Starting salaries for lower secondary teachers with minimum training are especially high. (67837 USD Equivalent, rank 3/38 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Salaries of lower secondary teachers with minimum training after 10 years of experience are especially high. (86538 USD Equivalent, rank 3/33 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Professional development of teachers

    The total duration for intial teacher primary education, in years, is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries. (3 Years, rank 28/31 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Class size

    Classes in lower secondary public institutions are comparatively small in Switzerland. (19 Students, rank 28/33 , 2019) Download Indicator

    Employment and educational attainment

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-olds without upper secondary education is comparatively high. (66.6 %, rank 5/42 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-olds with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is comparatively high. (81.5 %, rank 10/42 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-olds with a bachelor's or equivalent tertiary education degree is high compared to other OECD and partner countries. (88.5 %, rank 8/43 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-olds with below upper secondary education is compartively high in Switzerland. (65.1 %, rank 10/42 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-olds with tertiary education is compartively high in Switzerland. (90.5 %, rank 5/43 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-olds with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is compartively high in Switzerland. (86.5 %, rank 1/42 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the employment rate of 25-34 year-olds with a bachelor's or equivalent tertiary education degree is relatively high in Switzerland. (90.4 %, rank 5/43 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the inactivity rate of 25-34 year-olds with a bachelor's or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (6.5 %, rank 41/43 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the inactivity rate of 25-64 year-olds with a bachelor's or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (8.3 %, rank 39/43 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the inactivity rate of 25-64 year-olds with below upper secondary education is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (26 %, rank 38/42 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the employment rate of 25-34 year-olds with a doctoral or equivalent tertiary education degree is relatively high in Switzerland. (93.5 %, rank 6/27 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the inactivity rate of 25-34 year-olds with a doctoral or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (2.2 %, rank 12/12 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the inactivity rate of 25-34 year-olds with a master's or equivalent tertiary education degree is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (5.1 %, rank 29/38 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the employment rate of 25-34 year-olds with tertiary education is relatively high in Switzerland. (89 %, rank 9/43 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the inactivity rate of 25-64 year-olds with tertiary education is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (7.8 %, rank 37/43 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the inactivity rate of 25-64 year-olds with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (14.4 %, rank 36/42 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Employment by gender and educational attainment

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-old men with tertiary education is compartively high in Switzerland. (92.3 %, rank 10/43 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-34 year-old women with below upper secondary education is compartively high in Switzerland. (53.7 %, rank 7/41 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Employment by field of education

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-olds with tertiary education who studied in the field of arts is low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (82.2 %, rank 13/17 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-olds with tertiary education who studied in the field of law is low compared to other OECD and partner countries. (84.8 %, rank 11/15 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The employment rate among 25-64 year-olds with tertiary education who studied in the field of engineering, manufacturing and construction is high compared to other OECD and partner countries. (91.7 %, rank 7/31 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Unemployment and educational attainment

    The inactivity rate of 25-34 years-old adults with below upper secondary education is low in Switzerland. (24.4 %, rank 34/41 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The inactivity rate of 25-34 years-old adults with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is low in Switzerland. (8.2 %, rank 42/42 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The inactivity rate of 25-34 years-old adults with tertiary education is low in Switzerland. (5.8 %, rank 41/43 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the unemployment rate of 25-34 year-olds with a bachelor's or equivalent tertiary education degree is relatively low in Switzerland. (3.2 %, rank 32/41 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, the unemployment rate of 25-34 year-olds with a doctoral or equivalent tertiary education degree is relatively high in Switzerland. (4.4 %, rank 9/11 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the proportion of adults who have been unemployed for at least a year among all unemployed adults with below upper secondary education is relatively high. (49.5 %, rank 10/37 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the proportion of adults who have been unemployed for at least a year among all unemployed adults with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education is relatively high. (49 %, rank 6/37 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Earnings and educational attainment

    In Switzerland, the share of workers earning more than twice the median among those with a bachelor's or equivalent education degree is comparatively low. (8.4 %, rank 25/28 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Earnings of women (as a percentage of men's earnings) among full- and part-time 25-64 year-olds with below upper secondary education are one of the lowest among countries with available data. (59.1 %, rank 29/37 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the share of worker earning more than twice the median among those with a master's or doctoral or equivalent education degree is comparatively low. (19.7 %, rank 22/28 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, earnings of 25-64 year-old workers with a master's or equivalent education degree are comparatively low. (157.6 %, rank 23/32 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the share of worker earning more than twice the median among those with a tertiary education degree is comparatively . (14 %, rank 32/38 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Earnings of women (as a percentage of men's earnings) among full- and part-time 25-64 year-olds with tertiary education are one of the lowest among countries with available data. (64.7 %, rank 31/37 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Earnings of women (as a percentage of men's earnings) among full- and part-time 25-64 year-olds with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education are one of the lowest among countries with available data. (61.9 %, rank 32/37 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Earnings by field of education

    Compared to other countries with available data, earnings of tertiary-educated full- and part-time adults in Switzerland who studied in the field of business, administration and law, are high, when compared to earnings of adults with an upper secondary education. (114.5 %, rank 4/17 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, earnings of tertiary-educated adults in Switzerland who studied in the field of business, administration and law, are high, when compared to earnings of adults with an upper secondary education. (110.4 %, rank 4/16 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, earnings of tertiary-educated adults in Switzerland who studied in the field of education, are high, when compared to earnings of adults with an upper secondary education. (85.6 %, rank 4/16 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, earnings of tertiary-educated full- and part-time adults in Switzerland who studied in the field of engineering, manufacturing and construction, are low, when compared to earnings of adults with an upper secondary education. (106.9 %, rank 14/17 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, earnings of tertiary-educated adults in Switzerland who studied in the field of engineering, manufacturing and construction, are low, when compared to earnings of adults with an upper secondary education. (94.9 %, rank 14/16 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, earnings of tertiary-educated full- and part-time adults in Switzerland who studied in the field of health and welfare, are low, when compared to earnings of adults with an upper secondary education. (84.1 %, rank 15/17 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, earnings of tertiary-educated full- and part-time adults in Switzerland who studied in the field of information and communication technologies (ICT), are high, when compared to earnings of adults with an upper secondary education. (122.3 %, rank 5/17 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Compared to other countries with available data, earnings of tertiary-educated full- and part-time adults in Switzerland who studied in the field of natural sciences, mathematics and statistics, are high, when compared to earnings of adults with an upper secondary education. (109.5 %, rank 4/16 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Neither in education nor employed

    The share of inactive youth neither in formal education nor training among 18-24 year-olds in Switzerland is one of the lowest among countries with available data. (5.9 %, rank 32/37 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The share of youth neither employed nor in education or training among 25-29 year-olds in Switzerland is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (10.7 %, rank 36/38 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The proportion of youth neither employed nor in education or training among 15-29 year-olds in Switzerland is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (11.3 %, rank 30/39 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Among 25-29 year-olds men in Switzerland, a small share of them are neither employed nor in education or training. (8.6 %, rank 35/38 , 2021) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the percentage of women neither employed nor in education or training among 20-24 year-olds is relatively low. (10.3 %, rank 33/37 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The share of young women neither employed nor in education or training (25-29 year-olds) in Switzerland is comparatively low . (12.9 %, rank 35/38 , 2021) Download Indicator

    The percentage of 18-24 year-old women neither employed nor in education or training is one of the lowest among OECD countries and partner economies with available data. (9.9 %, rank 32/37 , 2021) Download Indicator

    Participation in education by gender

    The share of women among tertiary education new entrants is one of the smallest compared to OECD and partner countries with available data. (50.9 %, rank 34/38 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The share of female students entering bachelor's programmes in Switzerland is relatively small. (50.3 %, rank 34/38 , 2020) Download Indicator

    Entrance

    The share of new entrants younger than 25 in bachelor's or equivalent programmes is one of the smallest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (70.9 %, rank 34/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the average age of new entrants in doctoral programmes is one of the lowest among OECD and partner countries with available data. (28.4 Years, rank 32/36 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the percentage of new entrants in short-cycle tertiary programmes younger than 25 is relatively low. (31.8 %, rank 29/32 , 2020) Download Indicator

    In Switzerland, the percentage of first-time entrants into tertiary education younger than 25 is relatively low. (67.2 %, rank 31/32 , 2020) Download Indicator

    The average age of new entrants in tertiary education in Switzerland is comparatively old. (24.9 Years, rank 2/32 , 2020) Download Indicator


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    General findings
    
                        
    
                            
    
                                
    • Tertiary attainment has increased strongly in most OECD countries among 25-34 year olds. The average share of younger adults with a tertiary degree has increased from 27% in 2000 to 48% in 2021.
    • Higher educational attainment leads to better labour-market outcomes including higher wages and higher employment rates.
    • Expenditure on tertiary education accounts for 1.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) on average across OECD countries or 30% of all education funding allocated to educational institutions.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Access and Participation - Tertiary | Education policies: Finance and Funding - Tertiary | Education policies: Labour market outcomes - Tertiary | 
    
                            
    
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    • Tertiary attainment has increased strongly in most OECD countries among 25-34 year-olds. The average share of younger adults with a tertiary degree has increased from 27% in 2000 to 48% in 2021. In this age group, the share of individuals with tertiary attainment is 7 percentage points higher than the share of individuals with upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary attainment on average across OECD countries. If current trends continue, a tertiary education will be the most common attainment among working-age adults on average across OECD countries within a few years.
    • Higher educational attainment leads to better labour-market outcomes. In 2021, on average, employment rates for tertiary-educated young adults (25-34 year-olds) are 8 percentage points higher than those who have attained upper secondary or post-secondary non-tertiary education and 26 percentage points higher than those who have attained below upper secondary education across OECD countries. 
    • Greater educational attainment yields better earnings and this holds true for higher levels of tertiary attainment in most countries. On average across the OECD, full-time full-year workers who attained short-cycle tertiary education earned 20% more than those with upper secondary attainment in 2020. This earnings advantage increases to 44% among those who attained a bachelor's or equivalent qualification and to 88% among those with a master's or doctoral or equivalent degree.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Attainment | Education policies: Labour market outcomes | 
    
                            
    
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    • On average, the vast majority (88%) of children between the age of 3 and 5 are enrolled in early childhood education (ECE) across the OECD. In a few countries, it is also common for younger children between the age of 0 and 2 to participate in ECE and over 50% of children in this age group are enrolled. However, only 27% of under-threes are enrolled in ECE on average across the OECD.
    • In almost all countries with available data, the majority of upper secondary graduates from general programmes are women. Men dominate graduation from vocational programmes in almost three-quarters of the countries.
    • While the average age of first-time graduates from general upper secondary education does not differ much across countries, the difference widens in vocational education, ranging from 16 to 34 years.
    • Around one-fifth of tertiary students are enrolled on a part-time basis, but large differences exist across OECD countries. Studying part-time is especially common in many Nordic countries, Australia, New Zealand and the United States, where more than 30% of students study part-time. However, in some countries like the Czech Republic, and Greece, less than 5% of students study part-time.
    • Students are more likely to cross borders to pursue their studies as they reach more advanced levels of education. Internationally mobile students account for only 7% of bachelor's students, but 17% of master's students and 26% of doctoral students on average in OECD countries.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Access and Participation  | 
    
                            
    
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    • Total public spending on education (from primary to tertiary level) averages 10.6% of total government expenditure across OECD countries, from around 7% to 17%. The largest share of government funding is devoted to primary and secondary levels, explained by near-universal enrolment rates at those levels of education and the greater contribution of private sources at tertiary level.
    • On average across OECD countries, expenditure on primary education amounts to 30% of the funding for educational institutions, while secondary education accounts for 39%.
    • In 2019, OECD countries spent an average of USD 17 559 per student per year at the tertiary level. However, this average is driven up by high values in a few countries, reaching over USD 25 000 in Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States.
    • On average across OECD countries, 63% of total expenditure on tertiary educational institutions goes to core services (e.g. teachers' salaries, school buildings, teaching materials and administration), 33% on research and development activities, and 4% on ancillary services (e.g. meals and transport).
    • Expenditure on tertiary education accounts for 1.5% of gross domestic product (GDP) on average across OECD countries or 30% of all education funding allocated to educational institutions.
    • On average across OECD countries, public funds account for 83% of total spending on educational institutions. Private sources are more important at the tertiary level, where they make up 31% of all expenditure compared to just 10% at the non-tertiary levels (primary, secondary and post-secondary non-tertiary).
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Finance and Funding | 
    
                            
    
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    • Teachers' actual salaries at pre-primary, primary and general secondary level are 4-14% lower than the earnings of tertiary-educated workers on average across OECD countries and other participants. School heads' actual salaries are substantially higher than those of teachers across primary and secondary education.
    • Teachers in public schools in OECD and partner countries are required to teach on average 987 hours per year at pre-primary level, 784 hours at primary level, 711 hours at lower secondary level (general programmes) and 684 hours at upper secondary level (general and vocational programmes).
    • Typically, the duration of initial teacher education programmes varies from 3 years to 6.5 years, for prospective lower secondary teachers of general subjects. A tertiary qualification is awarded upon completion of the programme in most countries, regardless of the level of education at which the teacher will teach.
    • Continuing professional development is compulsory to some extent for teachers of general subjects at least at one level of education in most countries with data, except Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands and New Zealand. It can be either generally compulsory for all teachers as a regular part of their work, or for some teachers for specific purposes such as promotion or salary increases, or in some cases, both.
    
                            
    
                            
    
                                | Education policies: Teachers | OECD Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS)  | 
    
                            
    
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            Diagram of funding flows - Switzerland
            
    
            
    
        
    


        
		
    
            
    
			Click on the coverpage to see the full OECD iLibrary version
			
    
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            Country Reviews for Switzerland
            
    
            
    
			
    
        
    
		
              
              
              
              
              
              
              
        
    
            Note: These values should be interpreted with care since they are influenced
            by countries' specific contexts and trade-offs. In education, there is often no simple
            most- or least-efficient model. For instance, the share of private expenditure in
            education must be read against other measures designed to mitigate inequities, 
			such as loans and grants; longer learning time is an opportunity to convey
            more and better content to students, but may hinder investments in other important
            areas. If you want further information on the nature of different variables, please
            take the time to read the analysis and contextual information, available at the website
            for each publication.
    
            All rankings for individual variables are compiled on the basis of OECD and G20 countries for which data are available. 
            The OECD average includes only OECD countries which are listed here: http://www.oecd.org/about/membersandpartners/
            

    
	    *TALIS averages are based on all countries participating in the TALIS survey, including partner countries and economies. 
		This explains the difference between the OECD average and the TALIS averages.
		Data from the TALIS survey and Education at a Glance (EAG) may differ. See Annex E of the TALIS technical report and 
		Annex 3 
		of EAG 2021 for more details about the data collections.
            

    
			B-S-J-Z (China) refers to the four PISA-participating provinces/municipalities of the People's Republic of China:
Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang.
			

    
            For additional notes, please refer to annexes in the list of links below the introductory country profile text.