Only a few students become self-employed
According to the Swiss Federal Statistical Office, only a few university graduates venture into self-employment, musicians more often than the average. However, professional independence remains the exception rather than the rule.
Only four percent of university graduates are self-employed five years after graduation. While graduates in the exact and natural sciences are less likely to become self-employed (just 1 percent), those in the field of design are particularly likely to do so (23 percent). The proportion of self-employed people in the fields of music, theater and other arts is also relatively high at 13%.
The majority of bachelor's graduates from universities of applied sciences either work freelance on a contract or mandate basis (57%) or have founded a company (27%). Among Master's graduates from universities, self-employment on a contract or mandate basis is also the most common (40 percent).
Over 90 percent of self-employed people who have taken over or founded a company are satisfied with the level of responsibility, the content of their tasks and their freedom of action and decision-making; they also score highly in other areas.
The entire study is available at www.bfs.admin.ch can be obtained:
