Let’s have a look at 10 facts about education in Switzerland.

1. Switzerland has a decentralized education system in which each of the 26 cantons has significant autonomy in matters related to the curriculum, organization, teaching material, and the number of lessons per subject. The decentralization allows for flexibility and adapting to local needs within the national framework.[1]
   
   
2. Public education in Switzerland is free.
   
   
3. The Swiss education system is highly ranked internationally, with Switzerland consistently in the top 10 in the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) rankings.[2] In the 2022 PISA test, students in Switzerland scored higher than the worldwide Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) averages in math, reading, and science.
   
   
4. Switzerland has four official languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansh.
   
   
5. Switzerland counted 9,422 compulsory education institutes in 2022–2023.
   
   
6. 11% of schools in Switzerland are private schools. Most private schools are international schools in major cities like Zürich, Geneva, and Basel that cater to expat families in Switzerland.[3]
   
   
7. The national average yearly educational expenditure per child in compulsory education, funded by Swiss public authorities, was CHF 22,857 per child in 2021.[4]
   
   
8. Swiss schools are generally small. In compulsory education, almost 75% of public schools and almost all private schools have fewer than 100 pupils.[5]
   
   
9. During the 2021–2022 school year, the male-female ratio among teachers working in compulsory schools was 23–77%.[6]
   
   
10. During the 2022–2023 school year, foreigners accounted for an average of 29% of pupils in Switzerland. This figure varies greatly, depending on the canton. [7]
    
    
    

If your family is planning to relocate to Switzerland, it is important to learn about the education system, and familiarize yourself with the available childcare and schooling options.

Our team of experienced education consultants can provide guidance on the best childcare and schools in your chosen city, help with the application process, and support your child’s transition to their new daycare or school.

Get in touch to learn how we can help you.

We look forward to meeting your family.

[1] Source: https://www.edk.ch/en/education-system-ch

[2] Source: https://www.oecd.org/publication/pisa-2022-results/country-notes/switzerland-95f719cc/

[3] Source: https://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/en/home/statistics/education-science/educational-institutions.html

[4] Source: https://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/en/home/statistics/education-science/finances-educational-system/public-expenditure.assetdetail.29105837.html

[5] Source: https://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/en/home/statistics/education-science/educational-institutions/school-status.html

[6] Source: https://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/en/home/statistics/education-science/educational-staff.html

[7] Source: https://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/en/home/statistics/education-science/pupils-students/compulsory.html