The museum in figures

The Natural History Museum Basel is part of the presidential department. Below are its key financial, research and visitor numbers for 2022.

Income

88% of our income comes from contributions by the canton of Basel-Stadt. Besides that, we finance the museum's operation through admission fees, sales in the museum shop, revenue from services and through third-party funds from sponsors, benefactors and foundations.

Expenditure

57,4% of our expenses relate to staff costs. 25,5% are needed to cover the cost of renting the museum's premises. Around a fifth of our expenditure is used on running the museum, maintaining the collections, carrying out research and for exhibitions.

Income in detail

Admissions	440'530.–	4,23%
Museum shop	161'237.–	1,45%
Guiding Tours/Events	84'640.–	0,77%
Other revenue	132'840.–	1,21%
Third-party funding	474'686.–	4,33%
Public contributions	9'592'459.–	87,57%

Total	10'393'195.–	100%

Expenses in detail

Material costs	1'876'519.–	17,1%
Property rental	2'792'688.–	25,5%
Staffing costs	6'284'245.–	57,4%

Total	10'953'452.–	100%

Visitors and users

Permanent exhibitions	50'051	60,5%
Temporary exhibition EARTH AT ITS LIMITS	38'299	14,3%
Temporary exhibition Wildlife Photographer of the Year	19'285	15,1%
Night at the museum	6'975	6,3%
Other guests	4'879	3,8%

Total number of visitors and other guests	127'418	100%

School groups

Canton Basel-Stadt	1'211	71,2%
Canton Basel-Land	390	22,9%
Rest of Switzerland	57	3,4%
Abroad	43	2,5%

Total	1'701	100%

Figures for collections and research

Number of loans of objects		18'189
Number of days on which guest scientists visited		233
Number of new collection objects		32'307
Scientific publications by the museum's own employees		89
Scientific publications by external scientists about parts of the collection		70

COVID 19 protective measures

In order to contain the spread of the coronavirus, protection concepts were repeatedly adapted and applied to museum visits and events during the year under review. Under these conditions, all exhibitions were accessible. A few events had to be cancelled, but most of the planned events could be held.