country profile

Netherlands

Europe & Central AsiaHigh income17.99M population

Last updated May 3, 2026

Composite GEFRI Score

Advanced readiness

Netherlands shows advanced readiness to meet the challenges and opportunities of education in a rapidly changing world (96th 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.

76.53Composite score

Global percentile: 96th
Global rank: #8
Regional rank: #5
Viewing data for

Infrastructure

74.70

98th percentileGlobal avg. 54.77

Human Capital

67.13

97th percentileGlobal avg. 47.01

Innovation

71.76

93rd percentileGlobal avg. 45.21

Governance

89.16

96th percentileGlobal avg. 47.75

Access & Parity

79.92

70th percentileGlobal avg. 49.65

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), GEFRI Composite (77, 96th percentile), Infrastructure (75, 98th percentile), Innovation (72, 93rd percentile), and Human Capital (67, 97th percentile). This profile reflects sustained investment in innovation, equitable access, and system-wide capability.

Dimension scores cluster tightly, showing the system operates with balanced readiness. 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 96th percentile worldwide, placing the system among high performers.
Places 8th worldwide.
Holds a regional position of 5th 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	81.64
5	2	Switzerland	77.53
6	3	Sweden	77.03
7	4	Finland	76.62
8	5	Netherlands	76.53
9	6	United Kingdom	76.42
10	7	Norway	76.28
11	8	Germany	76.05
14	9	Austria	75.77
15	10	France	75.31
18	11	Portugal	73.13
20	12	Estonia	72.97
22	13	Ireland	71.84
23	14	Czechia	71.83
24	15	Slovenia	71.66
25	16	Iceland	71.49
26	17	Lithuania	71.48
27	18	Spain	71.19
28	19	Belgium	71.17
29	20	Poland	71.13
30	21	Luxembourg	70.54
31	22	Italy	69.96
32	23	Greece	69.84
33	24	Cyprus	69.79
36	25	Latvia	67.91
—	—	LiechtensteinMicrostate	67.82
37	26	Hungary	66.46
38	27	Croatia	66.37
—	—	San MarinoMicrostate	64.87
—	—	GibraltarMicrostate	64.32
42	28	Moldova	63.22
43	29	Bulgaria	63.11
44	30	Serbia	62.62
—	—	AndorraMicrostate	62.40
—	—	MonacoMicrostate	62.22
46	31	Turkiye	61.60
47	32	Slovak Republic	61.24
51	33	Armenia	60.62
52	34	Montenegro	60.59
56	35	Russian Federation	59.64
57	36	Albania	59.41
—	—	Channel IslandsMicrostate	59.40
58	37	Georgia	59.12
—	—	Isle of ManMicrostate	58.95
59	38	North Macedonia	58.89
—	—	Faroe IslandsMicrostate	58.79
60	39	Kazakhstan	58.57
63	40	Uzbekistan	57.92
64	41	Belarus	57.87
70	42	Bosnia and Herzegovina	56.85
71	43	Kyrgyz Republic	56.77
—	—	GreenlandMicrostate	55.24
79	44	Romania	54.47
90	45	Kosovo	51.06
93	46	UkraineFCS	50.98
100	47	Azerbaijan	48.61
105	48	Turkmenistan	46.83
109	49	Tajikistan	43.64