Netherlands: Higher percentage of highly educated Turks and Moroccans

The percent of highly educated people in the Netherlands has increased in every age group in recent years. The increase was highest for Turks and Moroccans, from 5% in 2001 to 9% in 2007, according to the Dutch statistics bureau.

In 2007 there were for the first time almost as many highly educated as low educated Dutch, going up from 22% in 2001 to 29% in 2007. The percent of highly educated Antilleans, Arubans and Surinamese went up from 15% in 2001 to 20% in 2007.

The percent of highly educated went up most sharply in the group of 25-34 year old. This group is also the most highly educated. In 2007 about a third of Dutch in this age group had at least an HBO degree (BA). Among youth 15-24 years old the increase was the smallest and the percent of highly educated much lower. This gives a distorted image, since many of them are still getting their education, and are not counted in the study. A large percentage of this group will end up highly educated.

Most Dutch, more than 40% last year, have a secondary school education.

Source: Wereld Journalisten (Dutch)