In 2020/21, almost 976 000 pupils were in compulsory education. 19% of them were at primary level 1-2 (Kindergarten, first learning cycle), 54% at primary level 3-8 and 27% at lower secondary level. Girls account for almost half of pupils at each level of compulsory education and pupils of foreign nationality for just over a quarter.
2000/01 | 2005/06 | 2010/11 | 2015/16 | 2020/21 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total | 948 957 | 947 669 | 913 153 | 928 284 | 976 105 |
Female (%) | 48.7 | 48.6 | 48.6 | 48.5 | 48.5 |
Foreign (%) | 21.3 | 22.2 | 24.3 | 26.7 | 27.3 |
Primary level 1-22 | 148 167 | 146 474 | 148 879 | 170 576 | 181 082 |
Female (%) | 48.4 | 48.4 | 48.7 | 48.7 | 48.5 |
Foreign (%) | 23.4 | 24.0 | 25.8 | 27.4 | 28.4 |
Primary level 3-8 | 473 739 | 454 092 | 436 073 | 477 499 | 530 230 |
Female (%) | 49.3 | 49.2 | 49.0 | 49.1 | 48.6 |
Foreign (%) | 20.0 | 21.4 | 23.9 | 26.6 | 27.5 |
Lower secondary level | 278 457 | 298 414 | 291 037 | 249 041 | 264 793 |
Female (%) | 49.7 | 49.6 | 49.4 | 49,0 | 48.5 |
Foreign (%) | 18.8 | 19.3 | 22,0 | 24.1 | 26,0 |
Separate education | 48 594 | 48 689 | 37 164 | 31 168 | . |
Female (%) | 37.9 | 37.7 | 36.5 | 35.1 | . |
Foreign (%) | 40.9 | 41.5 | 41.2 | 46,0 | . |
2 Kindergarten, first learning cycle Source: FSO – Statistics on pupils and students (SDL)
Data as of: February 2022
According to the HarmoS Agreement, compulsory education lasts eleven years. It covers the primary and lower secondary levels. The primary level lasts eight years including Kindergarten or the first learning cycle, and the lower secondary level education lasts three years. Pupils requiring special needs education are either integrated into normal classes, where they receive specialised teaching support, or are enrolled in special schools or special classes (separate education).
After a stable period between 2000/01 and 2005/06, numbers of pupils in compulsory education decreased until 2012/13 when they rose again. These variations are largely driven by demographic changes in the corresponding age groups.
During the 2020/21 school year, foreigners accounted for an average of 27% of pupils in Switzerland. This figure varies greatly, however, depending on the canton. The canton of Geneva has the highest proportion of foreign pupils (43%) and the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden the lowest (almost 8%).
Further information
Contact
Federal Statistical Office Section Educational ProcessesEspace de l'Europe 10
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