Dutch population better educated

In 2012, 28 percent in the Dutch population were highly educated. The education level in the population has risen continually since 2003. The proportion of low educated people declined, the proportion of people educated at secondary level remained unchanged. The proportion of highly educated has grown more rapidly among young women than among young men. 

More people highly educated

In 2012, nearly 11 million people in the Netherlands were aged between 15 and 65 years. In this age category, 28 percent were highly educated and 30 percent had a low education level. Since 2003, the proportion of highly educated people has risen by 6 percentage points and the proportion of low educated people has declined by 6 percentage points. With just over 40 percent, the proportion of people educated at secondary level remained fairly stable.

Education level in the Dutch population

Education level higher among young women than among young men

Last year, 28 percent of 15 to 65-year-old women were highly educated, versus 29 percent of their male counterparts. In the age category 25-35, women were more often highly educated (44 percent) than men (37 percent). The education gap between young men and women already existed in 2003, but since then the proportion of highly educated has increased faster among young women than among young men, i.e. by 13 and 9 percentage points respectively. A reverse situation is found among 55 to 65-year-olds where the proportion of highly educated men is nearly 10 percentage points higher than among women.

Share highly educated by age and gender, 2012

Harry Bierings