Politics · Switzerland · 10 hrs ago
Swiss university student numbers forecast to rise 21% by 2035
Switzerland expects university enrolment to reach 305,000 by 2035, a rise of 21% from today, according to the Federal Statistical Office.
The increase reflects more young people reaching study age and growing demand for Swiss universities, including from abroad.
At the same time, some young graduates are already struggling to find work when they leave their studies.
Politicians and business groups say vocational training and practical experience deserve more support as students choose their paths.
Green MP Katharina Prelicz-Huber says vocational and university education should not be set against each other, and argues that highly trained people are also needed to understand the risks of rapid advances in artificial intelligence.
Swissuniversities says it wants annual funding increases of 2.18% from 2029 to 2032 to manage rising student numbers and costs while maintaining quality.
The statistical office expects student numbers to keep rising until about 2040.
The number of students at Swiss universities is projected to rise by 21% to 305,000 by 2035, according to the Federal Statistical Office.
The increase comes as some young graduates are already finding it difficult to secure jobs.
Politicians and business representatives have called for stronger vocational training and more practical experience during studies.
Other voices have warned against setting vocational education and universities against each other.
The Federal Statistical Office expects student numbers to keep rising until about 2040.
- Who
- Students at Swiss universities, including universities, universities of applied sciences and teacher-training universities.
- What
- Their number is projected to rise by 21% to 305,000 by 2035.
- When
- The forecast is for 2035, with growth expected to continue until about 2040.
- Where
- Switzerland.
- Why
- The increase is linked to large birth cohorts reaching typical study age, the appeal of Swiss universities and more students entering higher education through different routes.
Supporters of stronger vocational training
Supporters of balancing vocational and university education
Education policy
Supporters of stronger vocational training
Bettina Balmer and Katharina Prelicz-Huber call for stronger vocational training and a renewed effort to promote apprenticeships.
Supporters of balancing vocational and university education
Prelicz-Huber says vocational education and universities should not be set against each other, and argues that highly trained people are also needed.
Response to rising student numbers
Supporters of stronger vocational training
Balmer describes the projected increase as an unfavourable development and says action is needed.
Supporters of balancing vocational and university education
The sources do not state that Prelicz-Huber opposes measures to support vocational training; she cautions against treating the two paths as competitors.
The cantons adopted a national strategy and action plan to support young people with education and career choices.
The Federal Statistical Office published projections showing that Swiss university student numbers are expected to rise by 21% by 2035.
The number of students at Swiss universities is projected to reach 305,000.
The Federal Statistical Office expects student numbers to continue rising until about this time.
- Projected increase by 2035
- 21%
- Projected student total by 2035
- 305,000
- Current student total
- Around 250,000
- Higher professional education enrolment increase by 2035
- 17%
- Expected rise in foreign master’s students by 2035
- More than one third
- Swissuniversities funding request
- Annual 2.18% increase in basic contributions from 2029 to 2032
What people are saying
The second reason is the appeal of Swiss universities. More and more young people obtain a vocational baccalaureate after basic education and go to a university of applied sciences. We also see an increase in academic baccalaureates.
For graduates without practical experience, entering the profession is likely to be more challenging.
It is important that parents understand that the academic high-school path is not the only way for their children to be happy.
You must not set universities and vocational education against each other.
Sources
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