Share of the population with completed tertiary education in Netherlands
Netherlands: Share of the population with completed tertiary education was 30.9 in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Share of the population with completed tertiary education in Netherlands, 1870–2020
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of the population with completed tertiary education in Netherlands is 30.9, measured in 2020.
The figure is down 4.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of the population with completed tertiary education in Netherlands peaked at 32.4 in 2010 and was at its lowest, 0.2, in 1870.
That places Netherlands 21st out of 111 countries with data for 2020, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share of the population with completed tertiary education in Netherlands, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1870 | 0.2 | — |
| 1875 | 0.2 | +0.0% |
| 1880 | 0.2 | +0.0% |
| 1885 | 0.2 | +0.0% |
| 1890 | 0.3 | +50.0% |
| 1895 | 0.3 | +0.0% |
| 1900 | 0.4 | +33.3% |
| 1905 | 0.5 | +25.0% |
| 1910 | 0.5 | +0.0% |
| 1915 | 0.6 | +20.0% |
| 1920 | 0.7 | +16.7% |
| 1925 | 0.8 | +14.3% |
| 1930 | 0.8 | +0.0% |
| 1935 | 1 | +25.0% |
| 1940 | 1.1 | +10.0% |
| 1945 | 1.2 | +9.1% |
| 1950 | 1.3 | +8.3% |
| 1955 | 1.4 | +7.7% |
| 1960 | 1.4 | +0.0% |
| 1965 | 4.4 | +214.3% |
| 1970 | 7.6 | +72.7% |
| 1975 | 9 | +18.4% |
| 1980 | 11.9 | +32.2% |
| 1985 | 15.4 | +29.4% |
| 1990 | 18.6 | +20.8% |
| 1995 | 22 | +18.3% |
| 2000 | 24.9 | +13.2% |
| 2005 | 28 | +12.4% |
| 2010 | 32.4 | +15.7% |
| 2015 | 31.4 | -3.1% |
| 2020 | 30.9 | -1.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1870s | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 2 |
| 1880s | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 2 |
| 1890s | 0.3 | 0.3 | 0.3 | 2 |
| 1900s | 0.45 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 2 |
| 1910s | 0.55 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 2 |
| 1920s | 0.75 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 2 |
| 1930s | 0.9 | 0.8 | 1 | 2 |
| 1940s | 1.15 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 2 |
| 1950s | 1.35 | 1.3 | 1.4 | 2 |
| 1960s | 2.9 | 1.4 | 4.4 | 2 |
| 1970s | 8.3 | 7.6 | 9 | 2 |
| 1980s | 13.65 | 11.9 | 15.4 | 2 |
| 1990s | 20.3 | 18.6 | 22 | 2 |
| 2000s | 26.45 | 24.9 | 28 | 2 |
| 2010s | 31.9 | 31.4 | 32.4 | 2 |
| 2020s | 30.9 | 30.9 | 30.9 | 1 |
Countries ranked near Netherlands
More education data for Netherlands
- Primary education, teachers, gaps filled 98,851 (2024)
- Duration of pre primary education, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Duration of pre primary education 3 (2025)
- Official entrance age to pre primary education 3 (2025)
- Population ages 15-64 64.2% (2025)
- Population ages 0-14 14.9% (2025)
- Lower secondary school starting age 12 years (2025)
- Primary school starting age 6 years (2025)
- Primary secondary enrollment completion rates, gaps filled 104.16 (2023)
- School enrollment, primary 104.2% (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of the population with completed tertiary education in Netherlands?
- Share of the population with completed tertiary education in Netherlands was 30.9 in 2020, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of the population with completed tertiary education recorded in Netherlands?
- The highest recorded value was 32.4 in 2010.
- What is the lowest share of the population with completed tertiary education recorded in Netherlands?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.2 in 1870.
- How does Netherlands rank for share of the population with completed tertiary education?
- Netherlands ranks 21st out of 111 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of the population with completed tertiary education rising or falling in Netherlands?
- Over the last ten years it is down 4.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Netherlands data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Share of the population with completed tertiary education. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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