Statistics on animal experiments
The animal experimentation statistics show how many animals are used in experiments in Switzerland, the severity degrees of the experiments, and for which research fields they are used.
As the competent federal authority, the FSVO publishes statistics on animal experimentation on an annual basis. The office is also responsible for publishing key information on authorised animal experiments after their completion. The FSVO publishes the title and research question, field, purpose of the experiment, number of animals per species, and the degree of severity in terms of harms (pain, suffering and distress caused to the animals; sometimes also referred to as ‘strain’ or ‘constraint’.
Report animal experimentation statistics 2024
The current statistics for 2024 reveal a significant development: a total of 522,636 animals were used in experiments in Switzerland. This equates to a year-on-year decline of 12.2% (72,669 animals). The number of laboratory animals used therefore reached its lowest level since the statistics were first collected in 1983.
Number of animal uses per year 1983–2024
The key points in brief:
- Decline in overall numbers: this fall is partly due to a smaller number of active licences and the conclusion of large-scale studies, in particular involving pigs and fish.
- Increase in severe harms (severity degree 3): despite the general decline, the number of animals used in experiments at severity degree 3 increased by 990 to 27,380 procedures (+3.75%). This is the highest level in 25 years. Around 90% of animal experiments at severity degree 3 were conducted to research human diseases.
- Most frequently-used species: mice remained the most frequently-used species at 67%, followed by birds (13%), rats (8%) and fish (6%).
- Research focus areas: around 62% of animals were used in basic research. A total of approximately 72% of experiments were conducted to research human diseases.
- Genetically modified animals (GMA): GMA account for around 32% of all animal uses. In the moderate to severe harms category (severity degrees 2 and 3), they make up a significantly greater proportion at around 47%, underscoring the importance of these models in complex disease research.
- Laboratory animal facilities, breeding and import: in 2024, around 926,000 animals were bred in the 155 laboratory animal facilities in Switzerland, which represents a decline of around 13% versus 2020. At around 217,000, the number of animals imported remained stable. The existing breeding surplus is primarily due to genetic factors, as when breeding genetically modified lines, by nature animals are also born without the desired traits.
You can download the full 2024 report on animal experimentation statistics as a PDF below.