One year after finishing their studies, some 95% of Swiss university graduates have found work, according to official government statistics. The numbers fare well in comparison with other European nations.
The figures, released on Monday by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO), show that just 4.8% of Swiss graduates are still unemployed a year after graduating, a number that tallies with the overall unemployment rate in the country.
The percentage is favourable compared with the surrounding European Union countries, where the average unemployment rate of third-level graduates between one and three years after graduation is 15.1%, according to EurostatExternal link.
However, the picture is far from homogenous within Switzerland, and geography, education type, and age reveal sharp differences.
For example, university graduates from French- and Italian-speaking cantons in the south and east are much more likely to be unemployed: 9.6% of University of Geneva graduates are out of work after a year, while the figure for Neuchâtel and Lugano is 7.5% and 7% respectively.
In contrast, the universities in Lucerne (1.7%), the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich (2.1%), St Gallen (2.7%) and Bern (2.8%) offer almost full employment outcomes.
Graduates of teacher training collegesExternal link – rather than academic or vocational universities – have the best opportunities (0.6% unemployment rate) and also the best financial prospects, earning an average of 12% more than other third-level graduates, the statistics show.
Age is also a factor: graduates who finish before the age of 25 have better prospects than those that earn their degree after the age of 30, even though the latter earn more.
Practical and technical degrees in areas such as IT, medicine, and pharmaceutical trump liberal arts degrees and qualifications in art, theatre, film, and design for employment prospects.
More
More
A visual summary of university rankings
This content was published on
Choosing the right university is an important decision. Find the right fit with swissinfo.ch’s university rankings and fees visualisations.
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.
Do Swiss universities offer the best value for money?
This content was published on
Here is a meta-analysis by swissinfo.ch that combines the most popular university rankings to find out which ones are the best bargains.
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.