University of Basel ends 2025 with deficit – solid starting position remains
The University of Basel closed the 2025 financial year with a deficit, as the newly published annual report shows. The balance sheet closed with a deficit of CHF 10.9 million, which was offset by funds from non-restricted equity.
22 April 2026
Operating expenses in the reporting year amounted to CHF 814.7 million, with income from ordinary business activities amounting to CHF 770.5 million. This resulted in an operating loss of CHF 44.2 million.
The shortfall is largely covered by earmarked funds and a positive financial result of CHF 2.2 million, so that non-restricted equity is reduced by only CHF 10.9 million to CHF 54 million. Despite this deficit, the university maintains that its financial position remains solid.
However, the university also faces significant challenges – such as increasing cybersecurity requirements, uncertainties surrounding federal funding, and macroeconomic developments, including inflation and exchange rates. Accordingly, the university management remains committed to strict budgetary discipline at all levels and allocates its resources in a highly targeted manner.
Overview of the 2025 revenue structure
The two supporting cantons, Basel-Stadt and Basel-Landschaft, make the largest contribution to the University’s financing, amounting to CHF 346.6 million, which accounts for around 45 percent of income from ordinary business activities.
Under the Higher Education Act (HEdA), the federal government is contributing CHF 100.7 million, which corresponds to 13.1 percent. A further CHF 71 million (9.2%) comes from cantons that send students to Basel.
The University achieved a significant contribution through competitively acquired external funding, which amounted to CHF 194.3 million, or 25.2 percent of total income. These funds come from, among others, the Swiss National Science Foundation, international research programs and private sponsors. Other income – particularly from fees and services – amounts to CHF 57.8 million (7.5%).
Further information
Matthias Geering, University of Basel, Head of Communications & Marketing, tel: +41 61 207 35 75, mobile: +41 79 269 70 71, email: matthias.geering@unibas.ch
Planning security for the 2026–2029 performance period
In October 2025, the parliaments of the two supporting cantons approved the funds for the sixth performance period (2026–2029). With the global budget and additional strategic and infrastructural resources it includes, this provides planning certainty for the coming years.
However, the University assumes that the financial environment will remain challenging and will cautiously align its financial planning accordingly. The aim is to achieve a balanced result in the medium term while ensuring the high quality of research and teaching.
