Men are catching up in higher education

An increasing number of people in their twenties hold a higher professional education or university degree. In 2013, this applied to 43 percent of all 29-year-olds, compared to 56 percent today. Men are slightly closing the gap with women.

According to new figures from Statistics Netherlands (CBS), last year 59 percent of 29-year-old women had completed a programme at a university or higher professional education institution, compared to 53 percent of men.

Ten years ago, this gap was almost twice as large: 49 percent of women versus 38 percent of men. The diploma gap between men and women is therefore narrowing.

CBS attributes the rise in the number of graduates to the fact that young people in their twenties are staying in education longer at all levels compared to ten years ago. More than half (53 percent) of 23-year-olds are enrolled in education. In 2013, this figure was 45 percent.

Men have been underperforming compared to women in higher education for years. They drop out more often, and it generally takes them longer to complete their degree.