8 answers, 2 from Switzerland's own official bodies, with a link to each figure.
The number of students at Swiss higher education institutions is expected to rise 21% between 2026 and 2035 and to pass 300,000 at bachelor and master level, according to the reference scenario of the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) published on 12 October 2026.
The FSO attributes the rise mainly to population growth and more students from abroad. In contrast, falling births mean pupil numbers in primary school are expected to fall significantly from 2029 (-8% between 2026 and 2035), and in lower secondary from 2034, while upper-secondary numbers keep growing until at least 2035. Scenarios are projections based on assumptions, not forecasts of certainty.
About 11,000 adults aged 25 or over gain a first upper-secondary qualification in Switzerland each year, 12% of the roughly 90,000 awarded, according to the Federal Statistical Office (FSO). Five years after qualifying, their income from work was CHF 5,200 a month, close to that of the general population of the same age.
Upper-secondary qualifications include vocational certificates from apprenticeships as well as baccalaureates. Five years before qualifying, only 60% of these adults had earned an income from work; five years after, their employment rate was 80%. The share living in households with a low equivalised income from work fell from 27% to 17%. The figures come from the FSO's longitudinal analyses of education.
The figures below use one definition for every country, so they can differ from national figures.
In 2017, net primary school enrolment in Switzerland was 93.2%, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 95.7%; Switzerland is 32nd highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 80th of 134.
In 2024, gross secondary school enrolment in Switzerland was 101.4%, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. The peak was 104.2% in 2020 and the low 93.8% in 2005. It is 16th highest of 34 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 101.1%. Of 100 countries with 2024 data, 29th highest.
In 2024, gross tertiary enrolment in Switzerland was 73.5%, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. The peak was 74.2% in 2022 and the low 45.2% in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 71.1%, and Switzerland placed 16th highest of 34. Of 90 countries with 2024 data, 23rd highest.
According to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics, government spending on education in Switzerland was 4.9% of GDP in 2022. The peak was 5.3% of GDP in 2020 and the low 4.6% of GDP in 2007. It is 17th highest of 45 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 4.5% of GDP. Worldwide: 49th of 155.
The UNESCO Institute for Statistics puts the number of primary pupils per teacher in Switzerland at 10 in 2017. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 13, and Switzerland placed 35th highest of 39. Of 130 countries with 2017 data, 124th highest.
In 2024, the primary completion rate in Switzerland was 94.0%, according to the UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Since 2005 it has ranged from 93.6% (2019) to 97.2% (2008). It is 27th highest of 30 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 98.2%. Worldwide: 62nd of 104.
Read on 14 October 2026. Definitions · Report an error