Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Netherlands

Netherlands: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) was 985,327 in 2023. ▲ Rising

Latest (2023)
985,327
Change on year
down 0.1%
World rank
40th
of 200 countries
All-time high
987,564
in 2021
All-time low
231,167
in 1971
Years of data
53
1971–2023

Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Netherlands, 1971–2023

200.0k400.0k600.0k800.0k1.0M197119972023

Source: Statizoid (derived).

Analysis

The most recent figure for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Netherlands is 985,327, measured in 2023.

That represents a change of down 0.1% on the previous year and up 21.6% over ten years.

Over the whole period, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Netherlands peaked at 987,564 in 2021 and was at its lowest, 231,167, in 1971.

Netherlands ranks 40th of 200 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 53 years of available data.

Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Netherlands, year by year

Annual values for Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number), gaps filled in Netherlands, 1971 to 2023.
Year Value Change
1971 231,167
1972 247,964 +7.3%
1973 253,408 +2.2%
1974 258,853 +2.1%
1975 264,297 +2.1%
1976 288,026 +9.0%
1977 305,150 +5.9%
1978 320,501 +5.0%
1979 328,968 +2.6%
1980 350,778 +6.6%
1981 360,033 +2.6%
1982 371,515 +3.2%
1983 379,047 +2.0%
1984 384,407 +1.4%
1985 390,244 +1.5%
1986 404,866 +3.7%
1987 399,776 -1.3%
1988 413,488 +3.4%
1989 415,847 +0.6%
1990 437,488 +5.2%
1991 478,869 +9.5%
1992 493,563 +3.1%
1993 506,580 +2.6%
1994 532,405 +5.1%
1995 502,928 -5.5%
1996 491,748 -2.2%
1997 468,970 -4.6%
1998 461,374 -1.6%
1999 469,885 +1.8%
2000 487,649 +3.8%
2001 504,042 +3.4%
2002 516,769 +2.5%
2003 526,767 +1.9%
2004 543,396 +3.2%
2005 564,983 +4.0%
2006 579,622 +2.6%
2007 590,121 +1.8%
2008 602,286 +2.1%
2009 618,502 +2.7%
2010 650,905 +5.2%
2011 780,014 +19.8%
2012 793,678 +1.8%
2013 809,986 +2.1%
2014 826,293 +2.0%
2015 842,601 +2.0%
2016 836,946 -0.7%
2017 875,455 +4.6%
2018 889,506 +1.6%
2019 913,464 +2.7%
2020 937,421 +2.6%
2021 987,564 +5.3%
2022 986,446 -0.1%
2023 985,327 -0.1%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1970s 277,593 231,167 328,968 9
1980s 387,000 350,778 415,847 10
1990s 484,381 437,488 532,405 10
2000s 553,414 487,649 618,502 10
2010s 821,885 650,905 913,464 10
2020s 974,190 937,421 987,564 4

Countries ranked near Netherlands

  1. 37 South Africa 1.19 million compare
  2. 38 Malaysia 1.17 million compare
  3. 39 Ecuador 1.09 million compare
  4. 41 Myanmar 932,199 compare
  5. 42 Greece 872,882 compare
  6. 43 Kazakhstan 768,980 compare

See the full ranking of 421 places →

More education data for Netherlands

All data for Netherlands →

Frequently asked questions

What is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Netherlands?
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Netherlands was 985,327 in 2023, according to Statizoid (derived).
What is the highest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) recorded in Netherlands?
The highest recorded value was 987,564 in 2021.
What is the lowest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) recorded in Netherlands?
The lowest recorded value was 231,167 in 1971.
How does Netherlands rank for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number)?
Netherlands ranks 40th out of 200 countries with data for 2023.
Is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) rising or falling in Netherlands?
Over the last ten years it is up 21.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Netherlands data come from?
The figures come from Statizoid (derived), published as part of Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number), gaps filled. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Netherlands. Statizoid, drawing on Statizoid (derived). Retrieved 30 August 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/stat/enrolment-in-tertiary-education-all-programmes-both-sexes-number-gaps-filled/netherlands/

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How this figure is calculated

Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) with 690 missing years estimated by linear interpolation between the nearest real observations. Only gaps of 4 years or fewer are filled, and never beyond the first or last actual measurement — these are filled holes, not forecasts.

Computed from

Statizoid computes this series; the underlying measurements belong to the publishers named above. The arithmetic is applied to every country and year where both inputs report, and nothing is estimated unless the page says so.

About this data

Indicator
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number), gaps filled
Source
Statizoid (derived)
Licence
Derived by Statizoid from the sources named on the page
Coverage
421 places, 19,011 data points, 1970–2025
Last refreshed

Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) with 690 missing years estimated by linear interpolation between the nearest real observations. Only gaps of 4 years or fewer are filled, and never beyond the first or last actual measurement — these are filled holes, not forecasts.