Revised statistics: investments in education higher

After revision, the costs of education in the Netherlands amounted to 34 billion euro in 2006, an increase by 4 billion euro relative to the amount prior to the revision. This is chiefly due to new figures in the sector private education and investments by the private sector to pupils in the dual system and trainees. 

Share private investors by type of education, 2006

Contribution private sector and households doubled

Spending on education by the private sector has been mapped accurately and accounts for two thirds of the adjustment. The proportion spent on educational institutions after revision nearly doubled from 8.4 to 16 percent. It mainly concerns contributions made by the private sector and household (parents and students).

Per capita spending on education by type of education, 2006

Per capita investments higher in secondary and tertiary education

Per capita spending on education grew by 16 percent in secondary education. The increase is chiefly caused by the fact that contributions made by the private sector for supervision of pupils in the dual system and trainees in mbo are also counted. Per capita spending in the tertiary sector rose by 9 percent after revision. Contributions made by the private and government sectors to scientific research programmes were adjusted upwards.

Spending on education

6.3 percent of GDP spent on education

After revision, spending on education as a percentage of the gross domestic product (GDP) was 6.3 percent in 2006, an increase by 0.75 percentage points. Spending on education in the Netherlands as a percentage of the GDP is higher than previous figures suggested. Dutch spending on education currently exceeds the EU average and equals the OECD average.

Broos Brouwers