Higher educated 25 to 35-year-olds are doing well on the labour market

Nearly 94 percent of 25 to 35-year-old higher educated no longer attending any form of education were employed in 2009. With 89 percent, the employment rate was also high among higher educated with a non-western background and has risen considerably since 2003.

Many higher educated employed

Many higher educated enter the labour market for the first time at the age of 25 or older. Last year, nearly 77 percent of higher educated 25 to 35-year-olds were no longer attending any form of education.

This corresponds to 612 thousand persons, of whom nearly 94 percent had found a job. Of the remainder, 16 thousand were actively looking for work; 22 thousand were not active on the labour market, for example because they had to care for parents or relatives.

In the period 2003−2007, the proportion of employed in the category higher educated 25 to 35-year-olds has risen marginally. Since 2007, the proportion has remained fairly stable. Despite the economic crunch, the employment rate among higher educated remained high in 2009.

Proportion of employed higher educated people (25−35 years)

Increase among people with non-western background

The employment rate among higher educated 25 to 35-year-olds with a native Dutch background is higher than among their non-western counterparts, but the employment rate among non-western 25 to 35-year-olds is rising. Last year, 89 percent of non-western higher educated people in the age category 25−35 were employed versus 80 percent in 2003. The gap between native Dutch and non-western higher educated 25 to 35-year-olds has narrowed.

Proportion of employed higher educated people (25−35 years), by ethnic background

Astrid Pleijers