The majority of children under 13 are looked after externally
Published: Monday, May 13th 2024, 09:50
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In Switzerland, almost two thirds of children under the age of 13 make use of supplementary childcare. According to the Federal Statistical Office, parents mainly rely on daycare centers, supplementary school care and grandparents.
At 37%, daycare centers were the most common option for children under the age of 4, as the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) announced on Monday with reference to the latest survey for 2020, 2021 and 2022. Grandparents followed in second place with 35%.
According to the FSO, daycare centers and supplementary childcare structures such as day schools or after-school care were also the most widespread among 4 to 12-year-olds at 36%. In this age group too, grandparents follow in second place as caregivers - with a share of 24%.
Overall, 62 percent of children under 13 were looked after outside the family during the survey period.
More income equals more external care
According to the FSO, the proportion of children cared for outside the family also increased as household income rose. In 2022, the proportion of children in the highest income bracket who were cared for outside the family was twice as high as in the lowest income bracket, at 80%. In the latter, 41% of children under the age of 13 were looked after externally.
60 percent of children in households in the highest income bracket attended a daycare center or supplementary school care facility in 2022. In the lower income brackets, however, the figure was significantly lower at 24% (1st quintile) and 29% (2nd quintile).
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