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.