Training
All pre-college education is the
responsibility of the cantons. Therefore, there are 26
different education systems in the country.
Responsibility for higher education is shared between
the cantons and the federal government.
The lack of a uniform school system poses a number of
problems, including for students who move and in
admission to higher education. Work is underway to
increase national coordination and federal influence
over the school.
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Allcitypopulation: Offers a list of biggest cities in the state of
Switzerland, including the capital city which hosts major colleges and
universities.
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COUNTRYAAH:
Country facts of Switzerland, including geography profile, population statistics, and business data.
In most cantons, compulsory schooling comprises a few
years of preschool, followed by a first six-year stage
and three years corresponding to high school. About 90
percent of young people finish high school. Most of them
go on vocational courses with internships, while just
over a third of high school graduates go to programs
that provide access to universities. Almost half of the
adults have studied at a university or college.
Switzerland has many private schools, several of them
with boarding schools and a large number of foreign
students. The vast majority of Swiss children attend
public schools.
Ten cantons have universities, five of which are
German-speaking, three French-speaking, one bilingual
and one Italian-speaking. The country also has two
federal technical colleges, a couple of private
universities and a number of music and art schools.
Several schools are considered to be of very high
quality and attract many students from abroad. This
applies not least to both the university and the
Technical University of Zurich.
FACTS - EDUCATION
Proportion of children starting primary
school
93.5 percent (2016)
Number of pupils per teacher in primary
school
10 (2016)
Public expenditure on education as a
percentage of GDP
15.5 percent (2015)
Public expenditure on education as a
percentage of the state budget
15.5 percent (2015)
2012
September
Tightened asylum rules
After a sharp increase in asylum seekers, the government decides on stricter
asylum laws. Among other things, the right of asylum for war deserters is
abolished, and the possibility of seeking asylum at Swiss embassies ends.
February
Bank secrecy is eased
After hard pressure from the United States, the government is forced to
relieve the bank secrecy somewhat. The United States is pushing for access to
American citizens' bank accounts in so-called tax havens.
2011
October
Elections to the Federal Assembly
SVP backs slightly after a long period of success, to 26.6 percent (which
gives 60 seats in both houses). SP gets 57 seats, CVP 44 seats, FDP 41 and Green
Liberals 14 and BDP 10.
September
Ceilings are introduced for the franc
The central bank decides that the Swiss franc should not cost more than EUR
1.20.
August
Two bilateral tax treaties are concluded
Switzerland concludes an agreement with Germany and the UK to tax the
accounts of its citizens in Switzerland from 2013. The historical agreement also
decides on large sums that Germany and the UK will receive as compensation for
the accounts not previously taxed.
May
Nuclear decommissioning decision
The government decides that the country's five nuclear power plants should be
decommissioned when the reactors served, between 2019 and 2035. The nuclear
power disaster in Fukushima, Japan a few months earlier is behind the decision.
No to euthanasia
In the canton of Zurich, voters vote down proposals to ban the right to
assisted suicide.
February
No to a weapons ban
Voters are stopping in a referendum a proposal to ban military weapons in the
homes. The Swiss have the right to keep their weapons after their military
service.
2010
November
Yes to automatic deportation
In a referendum, an SVP proposal is approved that foreign citizens who are
convicted of serious crimes should be automatically expelled. 52.3 percent of
voters support the proposal. Again, Switzerland is being criticized abroad for
what is perceived as an xenophobic attitude.
September
Woman-dominated government
Two new members of government have been appointed since the representatives
resigned. As Simonetta Sommaruga becomes Minister, Switzerland for the first
time gets a government with more women than men. In the relatively conservative
country, it is referred to as startling.
June
Relations with Libya are normalized
This can happen after the last of the two arrested Swiss businessmen were
released and allowed to leave Libya (September 2008 and
August 2009). The first businessman was allowed to return home in
February, while his colleague was then handed over to Libyan authorities. The
conflict had come to include the EU as well, when Libya introduced visa halt for
all citizens of the EU passport Schengen, which also includes Switzerland.
May
Try to stop strong currency
The central bank buys large amounts of foreign currency in an attempt to
bring down the exchange rate on the Swiss franc.
February
Conflict with Germany
Relationships crackle when it is discovered that German authorities have
purchased a list containing bank account information, and stolen by a bank
employee in Switzerland. The bank accounts belong to German taxpayers.
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