ZHAW is an economic driving force in the canton of Zurich

(CONNECT) The study "Regional economic effects of the Zurich University of Applied Sciences ZHAW" by BAK Economics and econcept present the total value added of the ZHAW in the Canton of Zurich. According to a press release, the university received 211.9 million francs in cantonal funding in 2023. The total value added by the university in the Canton of Zurich amounts to 663 million francs, meaning that every franc contributed is offset by 3.13 francs in value added, according to the study.

In 2023, the ZHAW generated gross value added of CHF 445 million and employed 3704 people. Regional companies generated CHF 218 million through consumer spending and cantonal demand for ZHAW services and investments and employed an additional 1729 people. This means that for every franc of added value generated by the ZHAW, another 49 centimes were generated by companies in the canton and for every job at the ZHAW, around half a job was created in another company. "The finding that the ZHAW generates three francs for the economy for every franc invested in the ZHAW by the canton is very pleasing," Regula Jöhl, Rector of the ZHAW, is quoted as saying in the press release.

Around 30 percent of ZHAW graduates continue to live in the canton of Zurich after graduation, particularly in the cities of Zurich and Winterthur, and strengthen the labor market in the canton. The third ZHAW location, Wädenswil, would also benefit in particular. Health and social services in particular receive many graduates. The ZHAW also carried out over 1,600 research and development projects in 2023, 61 percent more than five years ago. Around a third took place with companies from the canton of Zurich. According to the study, this would significantly expand the human, financial and innovation capacities of the Zurich economy. ce/yes