country profile

Netherlands

Europe & Central AsiaHigh income18.09M population

Last updated August 4, 2026

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Advanced readiness

Composite GEFRI Score

Access & Parity and Infrastructure are clear system strengths

Netherlands shows advanced readiness to meet the challenges and opportunities of education in a rapidly changing world (98th percentile worldwide). Most dimensions perform above global norms, and the system has clear capacity to scale future-oriented initiatives.

89.11Composite score
Global percentile
98th
Global rank
#5
Regional rank
#5
Viewing data for
Target achieved
Infrastructure
93.72
97th percentileGlobal avg. 70.44
Advanced readiness
Human Capital
88.68
95th percentileGlobal avg. 66.18
Advanced readiness
Innovation
79.31
93rd percentileGlobal avg. 48.64
Advanced readiness
Governance
89.93
96th percentileGlobal avg. 47.07
Target achieved
Access & Parity
93.88
84th percentileGlobal avg. 60.85

Country profile

Netherlands ranks among the stronger performers in GEFRI, but still falls short of the target-readiness threshold. Its strongest results are in Infrastructure (94, 97th percentile), Governance (90, 96th percentile), GEFRI Composite (89, 98th percentile), Human Capital (89, 95th percentile) and Innovation (79, 93rd percentile). All reported dimension scores sit above global norms.

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, supporting the system’s capacity to adapt. 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.

Some indicators are imputed, so the profile should be read with moderate caution.

Key insights

Ranks in the 98th percentile worldwide, placing the system among high performers.

Places 5th worldwide.

Holds a regional position of 5th within Europe & Central Asia.

Scores range from Access & Parity (93.9) to Innovation (79.3), reflecting variation across dimensions.

Leads regional peers most clearly in Governance.

Regional peers: Europe & Central Asia

Composite GEFRI Score

Global rankRegional rankCountryScore
11Denmark92.17
22Sweden90.49
33Finland89.65
44Switzerland89.17
55Netherlands89.11
66Norway87.90
107Germany87.54
118United Kingdom86.92
139Austria86.41
1710Estonia85.02
1811France84.86
2112Ireland84.28
2213Belgium84.17
2314Iceland83.80
2415Portugal83.51
2516Lithuania83.33
2617Czechia83.18
2718Slovenia83.15
LiechtensteinMicrostate82.84
2819Spain82.70
2920Poland81.97
3021Cyprus81.79
3122Luxembourg81.62
3323Italy80.65
3524Latvia79.58
3625Greece78.07
3726Croatia77.94
MonacoMicrostate77.40
4027Hungary76.63
4128Slovak Republic76.44
AndorraMicrostate74.65
San MarinoMicrostate74.31
GreenlandMicrostate73.41
4429Bulgaria73.29
4530Moldova73.12
4731Serbia72.79
4832Turkiye72.71
4933Georgia72.47
5034Russian Federation71.70
GibraltarMicrostate70.82
5435Kazakhstan70.49
5536Armenia70.34
5737Montenegro70.09
Faroe IslandsMicrostate69.59
5838Albania69.55
6339Belarus68.95
6440North Macedonia68.94
6841Uzbekistan68.67
Channel IslandsMicrostate68.37
Isle of ManMicrostate67.94
7342Bosnia and Herzegovina67.73
7843Romania66.62
8044Kyrgyz Republic65.76
8445Azerbaijan63.45
9346UkraineFCS59.93
10147Turkmenistan57.88
10348Kosovo57.69
10749Tajikistan56.05