Netherlands
Last updated April 1, 2026
Composite GEFRI Score
Progressing readiness
Netherlands shows progressing readiness (91st percentile worldwide). Reforms are translating into broader capability, though uneven performance continues to slow system-wide alignment. Higher scores indicate a system that is better prepared to anticipate and shape the future of learning.
- Global percentile
- 91st
- Global rank
- #17
- Regional rank
- #12
- Viewing data for
Country profile
Netherlands shows strong future-readiness momentum, with clear strengths in Governance (89, 96th percentile), Innovation (71, 95th percentile), and Human Capital (67, 97th percentile).
Uneven scores across dimensions highlight areas that need targeted coordination. High internet adoption enables broad participation in digital learning and innovation. Strong tertiary enrollment expands future talent pipelines and strengthens national innovation potential.
Strong R&D funding and a sizable research workforce keep the innovation pipeline active, moving new solutions into education. Policy and regulatory teams coordinate effectively, keeping reforms aligned and providing the stability needed for long-term educational planning. Gender parity across secondary pathways reflects sustained commitment to equitable participation.
Areas with room to grow: School Access and Gender Parity (56, 59th percentile). These dimensions sit close to global norms and could accelerate quickly with targeted investment.
Note: Several indicators use imputed values. Policymakers and planners should validate results further before committing to major initiatives.
Key insights
- Ranks in the 91st percentile worldwide, placing the system among high performers.
- Places 17th worldwide.
- Holds a regional position of 12th within Europe & Central Asia.
- Scores range from Governance (89.2) to Access & Parity (56.4), reflecting variation across dimensions.
- Leads regional peers most clearly in Governance.
Regional peers: Europe & Central Asia
Composite GEFRI score
| Global rank | Regional rank | Country | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Denmark | 80.65 |
| 5 | 2 | Austria | 75.95 |
| 6 | 3 | Norway | 75.54 |
| 7 | 4 | Finland | 75.51 |
| 8 | 5 | Switzerland | 75.24 |
| 9 | 6 | Germany | 75.12 |
| 10 | 7 | United Kingdom | 74.89 |
| 11 | 8 | Sweden | 74.71 |
| 12 | 9 | France | 74.55 |
| 15 | 10 | Portugal | 72.72 |
| 16 | 11 | Estonia | 72.11 |
| 17 | 12 | Netherlands | 71.64 |
| 18 | 13 | Czechia | 71.11 |
| 19 | 14 | Iceland | 70.99 |
| 20 | 15 | Belgium | 70.89 |
| 21 | 16 | Poland | 70.70 |
| 22 | 17 | Lithuania | 70.65 |
| 23 | 18 | Slovenia | 70.57 |
| 27 | 19 | Spain | 70.17 |
| 28 | 20 | Ireland | 70.12 |
| 29 | 21 | Luxembourg | 69.43 |
| 30 | 22 | Italy | 69.35 |
| 31 | 23 | Greece | 69.25 |
| 35 | 24 | Latvia | 68.04 |
| 36 | 25 | Cyprus | 67.99 |
| — | — | LiechtensteinMicrostate | 67.36 |
| 37 | 26 | Hungary | 65.67 |
| 38 | 27 | Croatia | 65.56 |
| — | — | GibraltarMicrostate | 64.07 |
| — | — | San MarinoMicrostate | 63.76 |
| 42 | 28 | Bulgaria | 62.81 |
| 43 | 29 | Moldova | 62.80 |
| — | — | MonacoMicrostate | 62.60 |
| 44 | 30 | Serbia | 62.22 |
| 46 | 31 | Russian Federation | 61.73 |
| 47 | 32 | Slovak Republic | 61.70 |
| 50 | 33 | Turkiye | 60.91 |
| 51 | 34 | Montenegro | 60.80 |
| 52 | 35 | Kazakhstan | 60.66 |
| 53 | 36 | Armenia | 60.51 |
| — | — | Channel IslandsMicrostate | 60.36 |
| — | — | Isle of ManMicrostate | 60.36 |
| — | — | Faroe IslandsMicrostate | 60.33 |
| 55 | 37 | Albania | 59.95 |
| — | — | AndorraMicrostate | 59.64 |
| 58 | 38 | Georgia | 58.46 |
| 62 | 39 | Uzbekistan | 57.72 |
| 63 | 40 | Belarus | 57.44 |
| — | — | GreenlandMicrostate | 56.89 |
| 69 | 41 | Kyrgyz Republic | 56.42 |
| 74 | 42 | Romania | 55.12 |
| 77 | 43 | North Macedonia | 54.09 |
| 84 | 44 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 51.59 |
| 85 | 45 | Kosovo | 51.46 |
| 90 | 46 | UkraineFCS | 50.96 |
| 98 | 47 | Azerbaijan | 48.88 |
| 108 | 48 | Turkmenistan | 41.46 |
| 109 | 49 | Tajikistan | 41.41 |