Country profile

Netherlands

Europe & Central AsiaHigh income17.99M inhabitants

Last updated February 1, 2026

Composite GEFRI Score

Advanced readiness

Netherlands reaches an advanced readiness tier (97th percentile worldwide). Most dimensions perform above global norms, and the system has clear capacity to scale future-oriented initiatives. Higher scores indicate a system that is better prepared to anticipate and shape the future of learning.

77.83Composite score

Global percentile: 97th
Global rank: #6
Regional rank: #3
Viewing data for

Infrastructure

76.01

96th percentileGlobal avg. 56.42

Human Capital

67.13

97th percentileGlobal avg. 46.98

Innovation

71.32

93rd percentileGlobal avg. 42.60

Governance

89.16

96th percentileGlobal avg. 47.71

Access & Parity

85.51

78th percentileGlobal avg. 50.60

Country profile

Netherlands ranks among the world’s most future-ready systems. Every GEFRI dimension performs well above global norms, with notable strengths in Governance (89, 96th percentile), Infrastructure (76, 96th percentile), Innovation (71, 93rd percentile), and Human Capital (67, 97th percentile). This profile reflects sustained investment in innovation, equitable access, and system-wide capability.

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.

Regionally, Netherlands leads most clearly in Governance, sitting well above the peer average.

Note: Several indicators use imputed values. Policymakers and planners should validate results further before committing to major initiatives.

Key insights

Ranks in the 97th percentile worldwide, placing the system among high performers.
Places 6th worldwide.
Holds a regional position of 3rd within Europe & Central Asia.
Scores range from Governance (89.2) to Human Capital (67.1), 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	82.00
4	2	Switzerland	78.09
6	3	Netherlands	77.83
7	4	Sweden	77.29
8	5	United Kingdom	77.03
9	6	Austria	76.84
10	7	Finland	76.84
12	8	Germany	76.42
13	9	Norway	76.31
15	10	France	75.63
18	11	Portugal	73.38
19	12	Estonia	73.29
22	13	Czechia	72.28
23	14	Iceland	72.00
24	15	Slovenia	71.90
25	16	Lithuania	71.83
26	17	Belgium	71.76
27	18	Ireland	71.34
28	19	Poland	71.15
29	20	Spain	70.41
30	21	Luxembourg	70.23
31	22	Italy	70.15
33	23	Greece	69.96
35	24	Cyprus	69.32
36	25	Latvia	68.81
—	—	LiechtensteinMicrostate	68.27
37	26	Hungary	66.71
38	27	Croatia	66.50
—	—	San MarinoMicrostate	64.62
—	—	GibraltarMicrostate	64.49
—	—	AndorraMicrostate	64.13
40	28	Bulgaria	63.95
43	29	Moldova	63.48
44	30	Serbia	63.27
46	31	Turkiye	62.68
—	—	MonacoMicrostate	62.44
48	32	Slovak Republic	61.61
51	33	Montenegro	60.77
52	34	Armenia	60.50
—	—	Channel IslandsMicrostate	60.45
54	35	Albania	60.15
—	—	Isle of ManMicrostate	60.00
55	36	Russian Federation	59.93
—	—	Faroe IslandsMicrostate	59.77
57	37	Kazakhstan	59.29
58	38	Georgia	58.71
60	39	North Macedonia	58.45
61	40	Belarus	57.83
69	41	Uzbekistan	56.65
70	42	Bosnia and Herzegovina	56.62
—	—	GreenlandMicrostate	56.39
78	43	Romania	54.34
80	44	Kyrgyz Republic	54.07
88	45	Kosovo	51.19
92	46	UkraineFCS	50.59
100	47	Azerbaijan	48.44
104	48	Turkmenistan	46.09
107	49	Tajikistan	43.87