Public education expenditure

In 2020, the Confederation, cantons and communes spent CHF 40.8 billion on education. This amount corresponds to 16.2% of the total public expenditure and to 5.9% of the gross domestic product.

Key figures

In Switzerland 91% of expenditure on education is incurred as current expenses, the remaining 9% as investments. With CHF 27.1 billion, 67% of total education expenditure is spent on staff salaries. In the distribution of public expenditure on education according to the degree of education compulsory schooling represents the most important part.

Public education expenditure by the administrative level making the expenditure and the educational level, 2020
in CHF millions Switzerland Confederation Cantons Communes
Total  40'796 100% 4'600 25'219 10'977
   of which salaries 27'137 67% 2'395 18'417 6'325
Compulsory education and special schools 20'404 50% 23 9'609 10'771
Upper secondary level 5'880 14% 151 5'579 149
Tertiary level 9'376 23% 1'341 8'025 11
Research 4'462 11% 3'072 1'387 2
Non-attributable expenditure 674 2% 13 618 43
Sources: FSO - Public education expenditure (ÖBA); FFA - Financial Statistics

Financial flows

Education is not always funded directly, but also in the form of contributions to the expenditure of other administrative levels. In 2020, for example, the Confederation invested a total of CHF 7.6 billion for education, of which CHF 4.6 billion have been spent directly and CHF 3.0 billion via the cantons.

Further information

Graphs

Publications

Contact

Federal Statistical Office Section Educational Processes
Espace de l'Europe 10
CH-2010 Neuchâtel
Switzerland
Tel.
+41 58 483 93 61

Monday to Friday
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Remark

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https://www.bfs.admin.ch/content/bfs/en/home/statistics/education-science/finances-educational-system/public-expenditure.html