Social and Economic Conditions of Student Life

73% of students at Swiss higher education institutions say that they undertake paid work in addition to their studies. Analysis of the volume of time spent on paid work shows that the majority (68%) of those students with a job present a work-time percentage of up to 40%. In a normal semester week, students spend an average of 35.4 hours studying.

Description of the infographic

Profile

Average age of students: 25.9 years
Proportion of women 53%
Students with child(ren): 5.4%

Studies and employment

Average time spent on studies: 35.4 hours per week
Average time spent on paid work: 9.7 hours per week
Percentage of students with paid work: 73%;
68% of whom with work-time percentage of 40% or less

Financial resources

Source of financial resources of students:
Family 52%
Paid work: 39%
Grants and loans: 4%
Other: 5%

Percentage of students who applied for grants/loans in spring semester: 27%;
43% of whom receive grants/loans

Living conditions

Percentage of students with long-term health problems 18%
Percentage of students living with their parents: 41%

Social and migration background

Percentage of students from a family in which at least one of the parents has a higher education level diploma: 47%
Percentage of students with migration background: 33%

47% of students come from a family in which at least one parent has a a higher education level diploma. On average, financial support from the family accounts for half (52%) of students’ financial resources. But the percentage of resources from paid work is significant (39%). Grants and loans correspond on average to 4% of available resources, but represent an essential contribution for the persons who receive them. 5% of financial resources come from other sources. Regarding accommodation, 41% of students live with their parents. The percentage of students with children is 5.4%. 18% of students say they have long-term health problems, but rarely say that this limits them greatly in their studies or daily life.

Further information

All press releases on the topic Social and economic situation of students

Statistical sources and concepts

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