Doctorates in Switzerland: steady growth and favourable career prospects

In April 2025, the Swiss Conference of Higher Education Institutions commissioned the Swiss Science Council (SSC) to analyse the increase in the number of doctoral students at Swiss higher education institutions. In response to this mandate, the SSC is today publishing a report documenting changes in the number of doctoral students at Swiss higher education institutions between 2010 and 2024. The report also examines the conditions while completing a doctoral degree and the demand for doctorate holders in the labour market. The SSC based its analysis on data provided by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) and on interviews conducted with five universities and federal institutes of technology.

Growth driven by STEM fields

The total number of doctoral students enrolled at a Swiss higher education institution (cantonal university or federal institute of technology) rose by 29% between 2010 and 2024. This trend is similar to that observed among the student population (Bachelor's and Master's degree level) and faculty. For all these groups, this increase is almost entirely attributable to STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and medicine. The rise in the number of doctoral students in Switzerland is higher than the average increase reported in countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) with economies similar to Switzerland’s, but remains comparable to that of several other member countries. The higher education institutions surveyed are able to cope with the increase in the number of doctoral students, both in terms of infrastructure and in terms of supervision.

The increase in the number of doctoral students has not adversely affected the working conditions of doctoral students. However, these conditions depend heavily on the field of study. Due to measures taken by universities, the working conditions during the doctorate have been improving. Between 2014 and 2022, the average employment rate increased, and the gap between contractually agreed hours and hours actually worked narrowed. The proportion of doctoral students who are offered the opportunity to participate in a structured doctoral programme has also increased.

Doctorate holders have lower unemployment rates and higher average incomes

To document the situation of doctorate holders on the labour market, the SSC analysed the results of the survey of Swiss university graduates, conducted every two years by the FSO. The data cover individuals who obtained a doctorate between 2010 and 2022, one year and five years after completing their degree. The labour market situation of those who obtained a doctorate between 2023 and 2025 is therefore not covered by this report, nor are the effects of recent economic developments, such as the growing use of tools based on generative AI or uncertainties linked to the geopolitical situation. The findings presented in the report show that the unemployment rate five years after graduation is lower for doctorate holders than for those with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. All three categories of graduates have unemployment rates below the Swiss average. Those with a doctorate have higher average incomes than those with a Bachelor's or Master's degree. They are also more likely to hold management positions five years after obtaining their degree. Finally, the majority of doctorate holders hold positions for which a doctorate is required.

The growth of higher education institutions as a reflection of successful investments in education and research

Overall, the rise in the number of doctoral students is a consequence of the growth of Swiss higher education institutions and the labour market. Following political decisions recognising the importance of education, research and innovation, investment in knowledge production has increased in recent decades. Doctoral students play a fundamental role in higher education institutions: they carry out an essential part of research and provide important support to teaching. Without their contribution, the quality and quantity of research, and to a lesser extent teaching, could not be maintained at their current level in higher education institutions, which would weaken Switzerland's international competitiveness. For the SSC, training doctoral students is an investment for society. In addition to the contributions that they make to higher education institutions during their doctoral studies, most of them go on to work outside academia once they have obtained their degree. The labour market therefore benefits from the arrival of highly qualified professionals, well-versed in scientific method, who contribute to the economy and, ultimately, to Switzerland’s prosperity.