Iceland vs Netherlands: Educational attainment, at least completed short-cycle tertiary

Iceland
40.1%
in 2023
Netherlands
38.9%
in 2023
Iceland rank
21st
Netherlands rank
24th

Educational attainment, at least completed short-cycle tertiary over time

  • Iceland
  • Netherlands
010203040199620092023

How they compare

Iceland currently reports 40.1% against 38.9% in Netherlands, a difference of 1.2%.

The two have swapped places 5 times across 24 shared years of data; in 1999 it was Netherlands ahead.

Iceland ranks 21st and Netherlands ranks 24th of 129 countries.

Across the 4 decades both report, Iceland averaged higher in 3 and Netherlands in 1.

Head to head by decade

Decade Iceland Netherlands Difference Ahead
1990s 19.9% 20.7% 0.8% Netherlands
2000s 26.3% 25.2% 1.0% Iceland
2010s 35.5% 31.2% 4.2% Iceland
2020s 38.9% 38.0% 0.8% Iceland

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher educational attainment, at least completed short-cycle tertiary, Iceland or Netherlands?
Iceland, at 40.1% against 38.9% in Netherlands as of 2023.
What is the difference in educational attainment, at least completed short-cycle tertiary between Iceland and Netherlands?
1.2%, with Iceland ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Iceland and Netherlands?
24 years are reported by both, from 1999 to 2023.
How do Iceland and Netherlands rank globally for educational attainment, at least completed short-cycle tertiary?
Iceland ranks 21st and Netherlands ranks 24th of 129 countries.
Where does this data come from?
Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), published as Educational attainment, at least completed short-cycle tertiary, population 25+, total (%) (cumulative). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Iceland vs Netherlands: Educational attainment, at least completed short-cycle tertiary. Statizoid, drawing on Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Retrieved 26 August 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/compare/educational-attainment-at-least-completed-short-cycle-tertiary-population-25-total/iceland/netherlands/

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About this data

Indicator
Educational attainment, at least completed short-cycle tertiary, population 25+, total (%) (cumulative)
Unit
cumulative
Source
Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
129 places, 2,142 data points, 1970–2025
Last refreshed

The percentage of population ages 25 and over that attained or completed short-cycle tertiary education.