SDG 4 Quality education

SDG 4 is about ensuring that people have the knowledge and skills they need to work and participate in society. Good and accessible education is important for everyone, at any age or stage of life, from preschool and primary school to ‘lifelong learning’.

• The rising vacancy rate in education points to a labour shortage.
• Compared to other EU countries, the Netherlands has a low dropout rate.
• Among the EU-27, the Netherlands has the highest proportion of residents with at least a basic level of digital skills.

Dashboard and indicators

Colour codes and notes to the dashboards in the Monitor of Well-being

Education is key to ensuring the well-being of the current inhabitants of the Netherlands, as well as that of the next generation. Appropriate and accessible education is important, from day-care and primary school to vocational and higher education and ‘lifelong learning’. This is why, in the context of this SDG, the term ‘education’ also encompasses professional training courses and workshops.

Resources and opportunities refers to investment in education and its infrastructure, human resources and the affordability of education. In 2023, the government spent 4.9 percent of the Netherlands’ GDP on education, which was average compared to other EU countries. Given that teaching and knowledge transfer require human resources, the recent increase in the number of hours worked in education is positive. In 2024, this averaged 49.9 hours per inhabitant, up from 43.8 hours at the start of the trend period (2017). However, the rising vacancy rate in education points to a labour shortage. Since 2014, the vacancy rate in education has increased almost continuously. By 2023, it had risen to 21 vacancies per 1,000 jobs, putting the Netherlands near the top of the EU ranking that year. The vacancy rate declined again in 2024, to 17 vacancies per 1,000 jobs.

Use refers to preparation for education and participation in education. In 2022, almost 94 percent of children between the age of four and the compulsory education age (starting on the fifth birthday) were already participating in education. This marked a decrease compared to 2021, when nearly 97 percent of children in this group were in education. Compared to other EU countries, the Netherlands has a low dropout rate. Young people aged 18 to 24 who leave education without a basic educational qualification are counted as early school leavers. Between 2013 and 2021, the share of early school leavers fell to 5.2 percent, before increasing again to 7 percent by 2024. The proportion of adults (aged 25 to 74) who attend training courses or workshops (‘lifelong learning’) is also relatively high: in 2023, this was 23.2 percent. The share of adults who report having participated in educational activities in the previous four weeks is stable.

Outcomes refers to educational attainment levels as well as specific skill levels. A basic educational qualification makes it easier to participate in society. Approximately a quarter of the population aged between 15 and 74 has no basic educational qualification. A high-quality knowledge economy needs people with all kinds of knowledge and skills; balance is key here. The proportion of the population aged 15 to 74 with a higher vocational (HBO) or university (WO) qualification increased to 37 percent in 2024. This figure is high compared to other European countries. In 2024, the share of the population aged 15 to 74 whose highest completed level of education is senior general secondary education (HAVO), pre-university education (VWO) or level 2-4 secondary vocational education (MBO) fell to 36.7 percent. This figure is low compared to other EU countries.

The most recent figures on the development of 15-year-olds’ maths and reading skills come from the PISA survey, which is conducted every four years in OECD countries. The period between 2018 and 2022 saw an unprecedented decline in maths skills. However, since the maths performance of 15-year-olds also declined in other EU countries, Dutch pupils still score higher than many of their peers. Reading scores began to decline in 2012, and this trend continued in 2022. The Netherlands lags behind most other EU countries in reading skills.

Digital skills are becoming ever more important for social and economic participation. While these skills have been a standard part of education for younger generations, older cohorts have developed and maintained these skills mainly through self-learning. In the Netherlands, a relatively large proportion of people have taken up opportunities to develop their digital skills. In 2023, nearly 83 percent of the population aged between 16 and 74 had at least basic-level digital skills, earning the Netherlands the top spot in the EU ranking for this indicator.

Subjective assessment refers to how people experience education and their educational opportunities. The proportion of adults who are satisfied with their educational opportunities increased to 84.1 per cent in 2024. This is average compared to other European countries.