The Netherlands has requested the OECD Secretariat to prepare an analysis spotlighting the country's performance on equity-related indicators within the OECD Education Equity Dashboard. The education system in the Netherlands presents a mix of strengths and challenges across educational levels. Schools are well-equipped for digital learning, but teacher shortages persist despite high salaries. Early childhood education and care participation is high, but equity gaps remain. In primary education, the Netherlands underperforms internationally in reading and science, though socio-economic gaps are relatively small. Secondary-education students perform above the OECD average, but socio-economic and immigrant disparities persist. While upper secondary enrolment is high, STEM graduation rates, especially among women, remain low. Non-academic outcomes are strong, with most students feeling a sense of belonging, though immigrant students report less family and teacher support. Tertiary education enrolment is some of the highest among OECD countries, but STEM completion rates are low. The Netherlands also demonstrates strong performance and equity in economic outcomes through education.
