Summary

One year after obtaining a federal diploma in higher vocational education, 13% of graduates are self-employed. This proportion increases to 17% four years after graduation. Self-employment is concentrated in the health and agriculture sectors. Most self-employed individuals were already employed before their graduation and continue their activities in their own businesses or practices afterwards. The survey was conducted by the Federal Statistical Office.

Persons

  • Federal Statistical Office (FSO) (Data collector)

Topics

  • Higher vocational education
  • Self-employment and entrepreneurship
  • Health sector
  • Agriculture

Clarus Lead

The self-employment rate among diploma holders already exceeds the Swiss-wide average of 14% just one year after graduation. This demonstrates that higher vocational education functions as a springboard into independence – particularly in regulated sectors such as health and agriculture, where technical expertise and management training directly lead to own practices or businesses. For education policy and labor market planning, it is relevant that four years later, already one quarter of all graduates work in self-employed positions, indicating strong entrepreneurial dynamics.

Detailed Summary

The self-employment rate varies significantly by type of qualification. Holders of a federal professional certificate show a rate of only 6% after one year, which increases to approximately 12% after four years. For graduates of a higher specialized school, the rate is 3% and approximately 9% respectively. In contrast, diploma graduates reach 13% (year 1) and 17% (year 4).

The gender dynamics reveal structural differences: Four years after graduation, one quarter of all female graduates are self-employed – a proportion primarily driven by the high share of women in the health sector. Among men, graduates from agriculture dominate self-employment rates.

Regarding start-up behavior, it emerges that 47% of self-employed professional certificate holders have founded a new business, while 25% took over an existing business. Diploma graduates less frequently start completely new businesses; instead, 46% practice as freelancers with their own practice. At higher specialized schools, just under one third work on a contract or fee basis.

Key Findings

  • One year after higher vocational education with a federal diploma, 13% are self-employed, four years later 17% – above the Swiss average.
  • Self-employment is concentrated in health (high share of women) and agriculture (high share of men).
  • Most self-employed individuals were already employed before graduation and continue their careers in their own structures.
  • Diploma graduates more frequently establish practices (46%) than completely new businesses; professional certificate holders found new businesses at a rate of 47%.

Critical Questions

  1. Data Quality: What was the response rate of the FSO survey, and how were self-employed individuals without formal registration captured?

  2. Selection Bias: Are the higher self-employment rates among diploma graduates an effect of the education or a self-selection issue (who decides to pursue these fields)?

  3. Causality: Does higher vocational education actually contribute to entrepreneurial capability, or does the survey merely document that already self-employed individuals continue their activities?

  4. Gender Dynamics: Are the different self-employment rates between men and women attributable to sector choice or to different propensities to start businesses?

  5. Economic Viability: Is there data on the profitability and longevity of these start-ups four years after graduation?

  6. Comparability: How does the self-employment rate of higher vocational education differ from university graduates or apprenticeship graduates?

Bibliography

Primary Source: Federal Statistical Office (FSO) – Press Release on Higher Vocational Education Survey (12.05.2026) https://www.bfs.admin.ch/news/de/2025-0224

Verification Status: ✓ 12.05.2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Check: 12.05.2026