Utrecht has the most highly educated population

The level of education of the population differs for each province. The highest number of highly educated people lives in the province of Utrecht. There are relatively many less-well-educated people in Limburg. The differences between the provinces can be explained in part by age structure differences.

Level of education differs per province

In 2002 one in three Dutch people aged between 25 and 64 has attained a low education level. Slightly over one in four has a college or university education. The education levels differ per province. The province of Utrecht, with 38 percent highly educated people, has the highest education level. The share of highly educated people is also relatively great in the province of North Holland.

Relatively many less-well-educated people In Limburg

There are smaller differences between the provinces when it comes to the share of less-well-educated people. There are relatively many less-well-educated people in Limburg. Two in five people aged 25-64 living in Limburgers have the lowest level of education. This is over 10 percent more than in the province of Utrecht.

Education level of people aged 25-64 by province, 2002

Provinces with more older people less well educated?

The difference in education level between provinces can be related to the age structure. Older people are generally less well-educated than young people. So there are likely to be more less-well-educated people in provinces with relatively many older people.

Within the age group of 25-44 the province of Utrecht scores well above average. Over two in five people in Utrecht finished their university or college education.

Share of well-educated people aged 25-44, 2002

Less educated in Limburg

The differences in age structure between the provinces do not explain why there are more highly educated people living in Utrecht and North Holland. The share of less-well-educated people aged between 25 and 44 in Limburg is only slightly higher than the national average though. So here the existence of relatively many older people with less education plays a role.

Tanja Traag