More students in higher education

A growing part of 18 to 25-year-olds embark on a study in higher vocational education (hbo) or university (wo). Women and young people with a non-western background are the main contributors to the increase. The proportion of students in general secondary vocational education (mbo) has remained stable in recent years.

Increasing number of hbo students

In the school year 2009/’10, more than 55 percent of the population in the age category 18–25 (1.4 million) were studying in mbo, hbo or wo versus more than 50 percent four years ago.

The share of young students in higher education rose from more than 29 percent to 33 percent over that period. The share of young mbo students has varied around 22 percent in recent years.

Participation of young people (18–25 yrs) in mbo, hbo and wo

More women than men in higher education

The female participation rate of 18 to 25-year-olds in hbo and wo is higher than the male participation rate (31 percent versus 36 percent in 2009/’10) and the gap has widened in recent years. A reverse situation is found in mbo, where the male participation rate is traditionally higher in the age category 18–25. Over the past five school years, the gender gap has remained stable.

Participation of young people (18–25 yrs) in mbo, hbo and wo by gender

Participation rate students with non-western background in higher education on the rise

The participation rate of young students with a non-western background in higher education is still low, but has increased from 20 percent in 2005/’06 to 26 percent in 2009/’10. Proportionally, the increase is higher than among native Dutch students and students with a western background. With a participation rate of over 29 percent, mbo is the most popular type of education for students with a non-western background.

The overall education participation rate among 18 to 25-year-olds with a foreign background was at the same level in 2009/’10 as for their native Dutch peers.

Participation among young people (18 to 25 yrs) in mbo, hbo and wo by ethnic background

Paul de Winden