Swiss tech universities boost economy by CHF13 billion, report says
ETH Zurich is consistently ranked one of the top universities in Europe.
Keystone
Switzerland’s federal technology institutes account for 100,000 jobs and CHF13 billion in added value to the economy, a new report calculates. This represents a fivefold return on investment, it claims.
The institutes – notably the universities of EPFL in Lausanne and ETH in Zurich – have long been acknowledged as vital components of the Swiss image and economy; the reportExternal link by British consulting firm BiGGAR now tries to put a value on it.
According to the report, the entire federal technology (ETH) domain employs around 21,000 staff and has an annual budget of CHF3.5 billion ($3.74 billion). However, the estimated gross added value to the economy, BiGGAR claims, is almost four times as much, at CHF13.3 billion.
The consultants also claim that another 98,000 jobs in Switzerland depend on the EPF domain, which means that each staff position is responsible for the creation of 5 more.
The study points to the various international firms that have set up in close proximity to the universities in order to take advantage of the highly-trained graduates. Google and Disney in Zurich, for example, where the tech giant employs 2,000 people and is planning to expand; and Intel and Texas Instruments in Lausanne.
New business ideas and start-ups are also encouraged by the innovative ecosystems of the universities; one in seven new innovative businesses in Switzerland is a spin-off from ETH Zurich or EPFL, the report says.
Popular Stories
More
Climate adaptation
Why Switzerland is among the ten fastest-warming countries in the world
Has your continent reached its peak or is there still potential for economic growth?
Some regions of the world are on an upward trajectory with the promise of a steadily improving future. Where do you live? And in which direction is your region or continent developing?
Living longer: What do you think about the longevity trend?
The longevity market is booming thanks in part to advances in the science of ageing. What do you think of the idea of significantly extending human lifespan?
US tariffs: Pharma firms not planning job cuts in Switzerland
This content was published on
The additional investments in the US will not lead to a reduction in jobs in Switzerland. This is according to pharmaceutical giant Roche, which expects the number of employees to remain stable in the current year. The position of Novartis is similar.
Switzerland is closely monitoring three livestock diseases
This content was published on
The spread of Lumpy skin disease, Bluetongue and African swine fever are keeping Swiss veterinary authorities on the alert.
Swiss writer wins European Prize for Political Culture
This content was published on
On Saturday, the Hans Ringier Foundation awarded the 91-year-old Zurich writer Adolf Muschg the European Prize for Political Culture.
Swiss government working with firms to overcome high US tariffs
This content was published on
The Swiss delegation that travelled to Washington has returned from talks on tariffs in the United States. The negotiations are now being conducted under the aegis of the government and the federal administration, according to Seco.
WTO improves its world trade forecast thanks to Trump’s tariffs
This content was published on
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) expects world trade to grow by 0.9% this year, better than expected in April. US imports surged in the first quarter as a result of Donald Trump's tariff announcements.
Swiss gold exports might not face US tariffs after all
This content was published on
Gold exports to the United States may not be taxed after all. The White House plans to "issue an executive order in the near future to clarify misinformation regarding the taxation of gold bullion," among other things.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
What do foreign students in Swiss universities do after graduating?
This content was published on
One in five students in the upper levels of Swiss universities comes from abroad. After graduation, almost 40% leave the country again.
ETH Zurich remains top university in continental Europe
This content was published on
ETHZ is the highest-ranked university in continental Europe – four British universities came in the top ten – in the annual rankingsExternal link, published by London-based education company Quacquarelli Symonds on Tuesday. Other Swiss institutions among the 916 universities from 81 countries are the universities of Zurich (ranked 80), Geneva (95), Lausanne (138), Basel (141),…
Are university costs in Switzerland going the way of the US?
This content was published on
University study fees in Switzerland currently vary between CHF1,000 and CHF2,500 ($1,010-$2,525). However, with living costs like rent, transport, food and books, the average cost is CHF27,600 a year for a student living outside the family home, according to a 2013 study carried out by the Federal Statistical Office.External link It can cost about the…
This content was published on
Switzerland’s two federal technology institutes are the world’s most international universities, finds the latest ranking.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.