Gender equality – Data, indicatorsOverview
The principle of equality between women and men has been enshrined in the Federal Constitution since 1981. The Federal Office for Gender Equality was established in 1988. The Federal Act on Gender Equality, which entered into force in 1996, specifically prohibits discrimination in paid employment. Nevertheless, putting the principle of gender equality into practice remains a complex challenge.
The Federal Statistical Office continuously updates gender equality indicators in its statistical web portal. Data on education, unpaid work, paid employment, reconciling work and family, wages and politics are available (see navigation column on the right). These data will give you an overview of the current state of and recent developments in gender equality in Switzerland.
In the table below, you will find an outline of the situation in Switzerland. Two downloadable tables provide an international comparison.
Gender equality indicators: percentage of women
| Highest level of education completed1 | |
| Compulsory education | 60,9 |
| University2 | 42,9 |
| Lecturer3 | |
| University | 35,1 |
| University of applied sciences | 39,7 |
| Employment4 | |
| Persons employed full-time (90%+) | 29,0 |
| Persons employed part-time (<90%) | 78,0 |
| Employees in managerial position or with supervisory function | 33,6 |
| Wages5 | |
| Full-time employees with a net monthly wage ≤ 3000 CHF (total W+M: 2,3%) | 64,4 |
| Full-time employees with a net monthly wage > 8000 CHF (total W+M: 19.5%) | 15,4 |
| Representation in politics | |
| Federal Council (since 2012: 3 women, 4 men) | 42,9 |
| National Council (23.10.2011) | 29,0 |
| Council of States (23.10.2011) | 19,6 |
| Cantonal Executives (29.04.2012) | 23,7 |
| Cantonal Parliaments (15.04.2012) | 25,0 |