More young people with basic qualification in urban areas

The percentage of young people leaving education with a basic qualification has risen slightly in recent years, especially in the most urbanised areas. In these areas the number of young people with a non-western foreign background in particular who left school with a basic qualification increased.

More young people with a basic qualification

In the period 2004–2006 an average 61 percent of young people who were no longer in school had passed a basic qualification, i.e. they had completed education at least at secondary level (havo, vwo or mbo level 2). In the period 2001–2003 this was still only 59 percent. The percentage of young people who have completed higher education in particular has risen. The percentage who no longer attend school and have only a havo, vwo or mbo level 2 diploma remained about the same.

15–24 year-olds no longer in education, by basic qualification

Strong increase in most urbanised areas

There are fewer young people with a basic qualification in the most urbanised areas than in less urban areas. The increase in the percentage of young people leaving secondary education with a basic qualification did rise by most in the most urbanised areas, however

Percentage of 15–24 year-olds with a basic qualification by degree of urbanisation 

Increases mainly for youngsters with a foreign background

The increase in the percentage of young people with a basic qualification in urban areas was mainly on account of people with a foreign background. Forty-three percent of youngsters with a non-western foreign background had a basic qualification in the period 2004–2006. In the period 2001–2003 this as only 34 percent. The percentage of native Dutch youngsters who left education with a basic qualification rose slightly from 62 to 63 percent.

In the most urbanised areas, young people with a non-western foreign background are gaining ground on their native Dutch peers in this respect. This corresponds with the national trend.

15–24 year-olds no longer in education with a basic qualification by degree of urbanisation and ethnic origin

Francis van der Mooren