Part-time work among men is increasing in Switzerland

Context

At a Glance

• Since 2000, the proportion of men working part-time has risen from about 10% to over 20%.
• In Switzerland, 40% of the workforce works part-time.
• The proportion is 60% among women and 20% among men.
• The study analyzes Swiss data from 2004 to 2020.

Key Facts

• Data period → 2004–2020
• Full-time men who wish to reduce their hours → 11.4% annually
• Actual transition to part-time work → 9.4% of those who wish to do so
• Part-time work in Italy in 2025 → 15.3% of the workforce
• European Union average → 17.4%
• Part-time work in Switzerland by comparison → 40.9% of the workforce

Since 2000, the proportion of Swiss men working part-time has risen from about 10% to over 20%. This figure represents more than a doubling of the rate—a trend unmatched in most industrialized countries. For men, however, part-time work remains a choice made by a minority.

The current picture shows a stark gender difference. About 40% of the Swiss workforce works part-time: the share reaches 60% among women and stands at around 20% among men. Switzerland thus ranks among the countries with the highest prevalence of part-time work in the OECD.

According to a study by sociologists Jan Müller of the University of Zurich and Youngjoo Cha of Indiana University, the explanation is not solely economic. Deep-rooted cultural norms—which associate male identity with the role of primary breadwinner and total availability for work—also hinder the shift to part-time work.

The Pathway Analyzed by the Researchers

The study does not merely provide a snapshot of those working part-time but analyzes the path leading to this choice. The researchers cross-referenced data from the Swiss Labor Force Survey, the Swiss Household Panel, and other employment databases covering the period 2004–2020.

The results show that each year, 11.4% of men employed full-time develop a desire to switch to a reduced work schedule. Among those who develop this preference, 9.4% actually succeed in transitioning to part-time work.

The study identifies two cultural barriers: the ideal of the worker who is always available and the “breadwinner” model—literally, the man who brings home the bread. For an initial comparison of income, the calcolatore stipendio can be used alongside the national data.

Operational details

The national data becomes clearer when compared with the figures recorded in Italy and the European Union. Switzerland has a much higher prevalence of part-time work, but there remains a marked difference between men and women.

In 2025, part-time work accounted for approximately 15.3% of the employed population in Italy, compared to the European Union average of 17.4%. The Swiss figure included in the comparison, however, stood at 40.9%. In terms of gender, 27.5% of employed women in the European Union worked part-time, compared with 7.8% of men; for Italian men, the source cites 8%.

The Sector Matters Less Than Professional Norms

For those considering a reduction in working hours, the economic sector is not the only factor to consider. The study does not identify any particular differences between sectors but highlights the influence of professional cultures. Men are more likely to switch to part-time work in occupations where a work-life balance is considered legitimate and compatible with one’s career.

The situation changes in professions where the expectation of total availability dominates. When work is placed at the center of both professional and personal life, and men are viewed as the primary breadwinners of the family, the transition to part-time work remains less common. The difference, therefore, also relates to what is considered normal in the workplace.

The feasibility of part-time work in Switzerland also depends on three characteristics identified by the source. Full-time workweeks are relatively long, approaching 42 hours. High wages often make it possible to reduce the level of employment without completely compromising the family’s standard of living. Part-time contracts generally enjoy protection and stability comparable to those of full-time contracts.

A comparison with Sweden and Norway, however, reveals a different model. In the Scandinavian countries, public policies are designed so that both parents can reduce their working hours. In Switzerland, the prevailing pattern remains one in which it is primarily women who work part-time, while men have only recently begun to follow suit. To better understand the income-related aspects of this choice, see busta paga svizzera.

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Key points

The decision to reduce one's employment level can be structured as a practical process, without turning national percentages into an individual promise. The point is to compare working hours, professional culture, income, and family life.

1. Measure the starting point

Start with full-time hours. The source describes relatively long working weeks, close to 42 hours. Before considering part-time work, therefore, focus on how much availability the job currently requires and what reduction would have a concrete effect on the balance between private life and professional activity.

2. Distinguish desire from possibility

The study separates the moment when the preference arises from the actual transition to a reduced employment level. This distinction is also useful on a personal level: wanting more free time and managing to incorporate it into the organization of work are two different steps. The comparison must remain anchored in the job performed and the conditions of the workplace.

3. Examine the culture of employment

Do not stop at the name of the economic sector. Check whether, in the occupation, work-life balance is considered compatible with career progression or whether the expectation of total availability prevails. According to the research, these are the professional cultures that make the difference in the transition to part-time work.

4. Consider income and family together

The source identifies high wages and generally stable contracts as factors that make part-time work more feasible in Switzerland. The transition must nevertheless be assessed in relation to the family's standard of living and the economic role assigned to each parent. To complement this comparison, costo della vita in Svizzera can be used, without separating the choice of working hours from the family's needs.

The final comparison must bring together the desired employment level, compatibility with career progression, and workplace culture. To estimate the transition from full-time to part-time work, use calcolatore stipendio.

Source: tvsvizzera.it