NL: Educational Attainment: At Least Completed Primary: Population 25+ Years: Female: % Cumulative data was reported at 98.268 % in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 98.158 % for 2014. NL: Educational Attainment: At Least Completed Primary: Population 25+ Years: Female: % Cumulative data is updated yearly, averaging 98.206 % from Dec 2004 (Median) to 2015, with 11 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 98.545 % in 2007 and a record low of 98.127 % in 2009. NL: Educational Attainment: At Least Completed Primary: Population 25+ Years: Female: % Cumulative data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Netherlands – Table NL.World Bank: Education Statistics. The percentage of population ages 25 and over that attained or completed primary education.; ; UNESCO Institute for Statistics; ;

The number of university students in the Netherlands grew annually, with enrollment especially increasing between 2019 and 2021. In 2022, ******* students were registered at universities around the country. The largest share of these students was studying degrees related to behavior and social sciences, at around ******. By comparison, roughly ***** students were enrolled in a teaching program.  Internationalization of higher education    The growth in the number of university students is mostly the result of an increased number of international students finding their way to the Netherlands. In the last decade, the number of enrolled international students more than doubled. Whereas in 2008 less than ****** international students were studying in the Netherlands, by 2018 this had grown to just under ******.  Netherlands especially popular among German students    In the academic year 2018/2019, over ****** German students were enrolled at universities in the Netherlands. Germans formed by far the largest international student community in the country. In 2018/2019, the number of German students in the Netherlands was nearly twice as large as the second, third and fourth-largest communities (Italian, Chinese and Belgian students) combined.

NL: Secondary Education: Duration data was reported at 6.000 Year in 2017. This stayed constant from the previous number of 6.000 Year for 2016. NL: Secondary Education: Duration data is updated yearly, averaging 6.000 Year from Dec 1970 (Median) to 2017, with 48 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6.000 Year in 2017 and a record low of 6.000 Year in 2017. NL: Secondary Education: Duration data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Netherlands – Table NL.World Bank: Education Statistics. Secondary duration refers to the number of grades (years) in secondary school.; ; United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Institute for Statistics.; Median;

The government expenditure on university education in the Netherlands was modeled to be 7.89 billion euros in 2023. Between 1900 and 2023, the expenditure rose by 7.88 billion euros, though the increase followed an uneven trajectory rather than a consistent upward trend.

According to the Times Higher Education ranking for 2023, Delft University of Technology ranked highest in the Netherlands with an overall score of ****. The University of Amsterdam (UvA) followed second with a score of ****.

NL: Over-Age Students: Primary: Male: % of Male Enrollment data was reported at 6.220 % in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 6.553 % for 2015. NL: Over-Age Students: Primary: Male: % of Male Enrollment data is updated yearly, averaging 7.956 % from Dec 1971 (Median) to 2016, with 43 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 9.128 % in 1983 and a record low of 3.743 % in 1992. NL: Over-Age Students: Primary: Male: % of Male Enrollment data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Netherlands – Table NL.World Bank: Education Statistics. Over-age students are the percentage of those enrolled who are older than the official school-age range for primary education.; ; UNESCO Institute for Statistics; ;

NL: School Enrollment: Primary: Female: % Net data was reported at 97.819 % in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 96.885 % for 2015. NL: School Enrollment: Primary: Female: % Net data is updated yearly, averaging 95.613 % from Dec 1971 (Median) to 2016, with 37 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 99.400 % in 1997 and a record low of 88.272 % in 1985. NL: School Enrollment: Primary: Female: % Net data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Netherlands – Table NL.World Bank: Education Statistics. Net enrollment rate is the ratio of children of official school age who are enrolled in school to the population of the corresponding official school age. Primary education provides children with basic reading, writing, and mathematics skills along with an elementary understanding of such subjects as history, geography, natural science, social science, art, and music.; ; UNESCO Institute for Statistics; Weighted average; Each economy is classified based on the classification of World Bank Group's fiscal year 2018 (July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018).

This table gives an overview of government expenditure on regular education in the Netherlands since 1900. All figures presented have been calculated according to the standardised definitions of the OECD. Government expenditure on education consists of expenditure by central and local government on education institutions and education. The government finances schools, colleges and universities. It pays for research and development conducted by universities. Furthermore it provides student grants and loans, allowances for school costs, provisions for students with a disability and child care allowances to households as well as subsidies to companies and non-profit organisations. Total government expenditure is broken down into expenditure on education institutions and education on the one hand and government expenditure on student grants and loans and allowances for school costs to households on the other. If applicable these subjects are broken down into pre-primary and primary education, special needs primary education, secondary education, senior secondary vocational and adult education, higher professional education and university education. Data are available from 1900. Figures for the Second World War period are based on estimations due to a lack of source material. The table also includes the indicator government expenditure on education as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP). This indicator is used to compare government expenditure on education internationally. The indicator is compounded on the basis of definitions of the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development). The indicator is also presented in the StatLine table Education; Education expenditure and CBS /OECD indicators. Figures for the First World War and Second World War period are not available for this indicator due to a lack of reliable data on GDP for these periods. The statistic on Education spending is compiled on a cash basis. This means that the education expenditure and revenues are allocated to the year in which they are paid out or received. However, the activity or transaction associated with the payment or receipt can take place in a different year. Statistics Netherlands published the revised National Accounts in June 2018. Among other things, GDP has been adjusted upwards as a result of the revision. The revision has not been extended to the years before 1995. In the indicator 'Total government expenditure as % of GDP', a break occurs between 1994 and 1995 as a result of the revision. Data available from: 1900 Status of the figures: Data recorded in the last available year are definite figures. Changes on 30 December 2022: The figures for 2020 have been adjusted from provisional to definite. When will new figures be published? The final figures for 2021 and the provisional figures for 2022 will be published in November 2023.

This statistic shows the number of university students in the Netherlands in 2022, by field of study (in 1,000s). The largest amount of students were studying behavior and social sciences at nearly ******, followed by economics at ****** and technology at ******.

The government expenditure on education in the Netherlands was modeled to stand at 53.54 billion euros in 2023. Between 1900 and 2023, the expenditure rose by 53.53 billion euros, though the increase followed an uneven trajectory rather than a consistent upward trend.

Percentage of enrolment in tertiary education in private institutions (%) in Netherlands was reported at 16.16 % in 2018, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Netherlands - Percentage of enrolment in tertiary education in private institutions - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.

Netherlands NL: Higher Education Total R&D Personnel: Full-Time Equivalent data was reported at 42,900.000 FTE in 2022. This records an increase from the previous number of 40,473.000 FTE for 2021. Netherlands NL: Higher Education Total R&D Personnel: Full-Time Equivalent data is updated yearly, averaging 30,739.000 FTE from Dec 1981 (Median) to 2022, with 42 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 42,900.000 FTE in 2022 and a record low of 13,060.000 FTE in 1981. Netherlands NL: Higher Education Total R&D Personnel: Full-Time Equivalent data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Netherlands – Table NL.OECD.MSTI: Number of Researchers and Personnel on Research and Development: OECD Member: Annual.

In the Netherlands, beginning with the 2013 data, the following methodological improvements led to breaks in series in the business sector (increase), the government sector (decrease), and at the total economy level (increase): better collection and treatment methods for measuring and reporting R&D expenditures related to external R&D personnel (alignment with the 2015 Frascati Manual); reclassification from the government to the business sector of public corporations engaged in market production; and a better follow-up of non-respondents. In 2012, the method for sampling enterprises included in ISIC industries 84 to 99 (community, social, and personal services) as well as the breakdown of personnel data by occupation were modified leading to breaks in series in the business and government sectors. In 2011, the method for producing business enterprise data changed: all observed enterprises are included whereas before 2011, only enterprises with substantial R&D activities (i.e. with a minimum number of R&D personnel) were incorporated. Subsequent changes affected the higher education sector: before 1999, a large number of PhD candidates were formally employed by research institutes (in the government sector) financing their research. From 1999, universities became the formal employer of PhD candidates and their research activities moved from the Government sector to the Higher Education sector. Besides this, the R&D activities of the Universities of Applied Sciences (HBO) were taken into account for the first time. Finally the R&D activities of the Academic hospitals were increasingly underestimated due to the merging of the Academic hospitals and (parts) of the Faculties of Medicine of the universities into so-called University Medical Centers (UMC's). This started in 1998 and meant for instance that staff of the Faculty of Medicine of the university became employees of the UMC. As a result, data on R&D in the field of medical sciences were also revised. As of 2000, newly-recruited researchers on the payroll of the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NOW), previously included in the Government sector, were included with personnel in the higher education sector. In 1982 and 1990, the methodology of the survey on R&D expenditure changed.

In 2003, Statistics Netherlands revised the panel of the R&D survey for the Government and PNP sectors, resulting in breaks in series for both. Also beginning in 2003, R&D personnel in the PNP sector are grouped with Government sector R&D personnel.

In 1994 and 1996 there were major expansions of the scope of the Business Enterprise sector survey; R&D expenditure and personnel data in the latter sector and in the whole economy are thus not comparable with those for the previous years.

In 1990 and 1999, new methods for calculating GUF are introduced for GBARD series.

Access to higher education (Dutch only)

Customised tables on inflow into higher education of students aged 16 years on 1 October 2005, by household income. Commissioned by Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.

In 2020, *** percent of Dutch GDP was spent on education and student loans. The GDP of the Netherlands amounted to roughly *** billion euros in 2020. The highest share of GDP that was spent on education in the Netherlands was *** percent in 2009, 2010, 2013 and 2014.

 Absolute spend peaks in 2020  

In absolute figures, government expenditure on education and student grants peaked in 2020, at over ** billion euros. In 2013, government spending amounted to approximately **** billion euros.

Expenditure by level  

Most of the government spending was spent on secondary education in 2020, at around **** billion euros. By comparison, the government only spent *** billion euros that year on tertiary education. However, this is excluding the student loans, grants, and allowances.

The Netherlands: Tertiary school enrollment, percent of all eligible children: The latest value from 2021 is 89.39 percent, an increase from 85.34 percent in 2020. In comparison, the world average is 54.10 percent, based on data from 123 countries. Historically, the average for the Netherlands from 1971 to 2021 is 48.45 percent. The minimum value, 20.43 percent, was reached in 1971 while the maximum of 89.39 percent was recorded in 2021.

Forecast: Higher Education Researchers in the Netherlands 2023 - 2027 Discover more data with ReportLinker!

Netherlands NL: Higher Education Sector: Number of Researchers: Total data was reported at 31,082.000 Person in 2021. This records an increase from the previous number of 29,433.000 Person for 2020. Netherlands NL: Higher Education Sector: Number of Researchers: Total data is updated yearly, averaging 23,450.000 Person from Dec 1999 (Median) to 2021, with 23 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 31,082.000 Person in 2021 and a record low of 18,149.000 Person in 1999. Netherlands NL: Higher Education Sector: Number of Researchers: Total data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Netherlands – Table NL.OECD.MSTI: Number of Researchers and Personnel on Research and Development: OECD Member: Annual.

In the Netherlands, beginning with the 2013 data, the following methodological improvements led to breaks in series in the business sector (increase), the government sector (decrease), and at the total economy level (increase): better collection and treatment methods for measuring and reporting R&D expenditures related to external R&D personnel (alignment with the 2015 Frascati Manual); reclassification from the government to the business sector of public corporations engaged in market production; and a better follow-up of non-respondents. In 2012, the method for sampling enterprises included in ISIC industries 84 to 99 (community, social, and personal services) as well as the breakdown of personnel data by occupation were modified leading to breaks in series in the business and government sectors. In 2011, the method for producing business enterprise data changed: all observed enterprises are included whereas before 2011, only enterprises with substantial R&D activities (i.e. with a minimum number of R&D personnel) were incorporated. Subsequent changes affected the higher education sector: before 1999, a large number of PhD candidates were formally employed by research institutes (in the government sector) financing their research. From 1999, universities became the formal employer of PhD candidates and their research activities moved from the Government sector to the Higher Education sector. Besides this, the R&D activities of the Universities of Applied Sciences (HBO) were taken into account for the first time. Finally the R&D activities of the Academic hospitals were increasingly underestimated due to the merging of the Academic hospitals and (parts) of the Faculties of Medicine of the universities into so-called University Medical Centers (UMC's). This started in 1998 and meant for instance that staff of the Faculty of Medicine of the university became employees of the UMC. As a result, data on R&D in the field of medical sciences were also revised. As of 2000, newly-recruited researchers on the payroll of the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NOW), previously included in the Government sector, were included with personnel in the higher education sector. In 1982 and 1990, the methodology of the survey on R&D expenditure changed.

In 2003, Statistics Netherlands revised the panel of the R&D survey for the Government and PNP sectors, resulting in breaks in series for both. Also beginning in 2003, R&D personnel in the PNP sector are grouped with Government sector R&D personnel.

In 1994 and 1996 there were major expansions of the scope of the Business Enterprise sector survey; R&D expenditure and personnel data in the latter sector and in the whole economy are thus not comparable with those for the previous years.

In 1990 and 1999, new methods for calculating GUF are introduced for GBARD series.

This table contains information on the finances of government-funded institutions in primary, secondary and tertiary education. Primary education comprises of primary general education, primary special education (SBO) and primary special-needs education (SO). Secondary education constitutes secondary general education, secondary vocational education (MBO) and adult education. Tertiary education encompasses higher professional education (HBO) and university education (WO). All educational institutions are funded by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science as of 2018. Educational institutions that provided agricultural education were funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs until 2018. Educational institutions are legally obligated to annually submit their financial statements before the 1st of July to the Education Executive Agency (DUO) of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. The data from the financial statements is subsequently processed by DUO and transmitted to Statistics Netherlands. Financial information regarding primary educational institutions is available from 2006 onwards, as a result of the introduction of lump sum funding in the same year, which legally obligated these institutions to provide their financial information to the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. The finances for the educational institutions in the secondary and tertiary education are available since 1998. Financial information related to special-needs educational institutions is available separately and concerns the educational institutions with school boards solely overseeing special-needs education in both primary and secondary education. Please note that the educational institutions of Caribbean Netherlands are included in the table from 2010 onwards, due to the islands of Caribbean Netherlands becoming part of the Netherlands as of October 2010. Data available from 1998 to 2018. Status of the figures: The figures for the period 1998-2017 are definite. The figures for 2018 are provisional. Because this table is discontinued, figures will not be updated anymore. Changes as of 11 December 2020: None, this table is discontinued. When will new figures be published? Not applicable anymore. The financial data from the financial statements of all government-funded educational institutions in the Netherlands is annually published by the Education Executive Agency (DUO) of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. Financial data is available per school board and can be found on the website of the Education Executive Agency (DUO), listed under paragraph 3.

Netherlands - Tertiary educational attainment: Males was 49.20% in December of 2020, according to the EUROSTAT. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Netherlands - Tertiary educational attainment: Males - last updated from the EUROSTAT on September of 2025. Historically, Netherlands - Tertiary educational attainment: Males reached a record high of 49.20% in December of 2020 and a record low of 25.00% in December of 1996.

School enrollment, tertiary (% gross) in Netherlands was reported at 89.39 % in 2021, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Netherlands - School enrollment, tertiary (% gross) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on September of 2025.