The Netherlands is facing a sustained decline in higher education enrolments, with new data confirming that the downturn is no longer a future concern but an unfolding reality. Figures released this week by the Universities of the Netherlands show that international bachelor’s enrolments fell by 3.6% this year, while domestic student numbers dropped by 3.3%. The trend highlights growing pressures on the Dutch higher education system and intensifies debate around talent, innovation, and long-term economic competitiveness.
According to Universities of the Netherlands chair Caspar van den Berg, the fall in enrolments
underscores structural challenges that have been building for years. “The
decline is no longer a future scenario, but a reality,” he said, pointing to
the absence of a coherent talent strategy under the previous government. He
warned that this gap has begun to undermine innovation across science, society,
and the wider economy, at a time when global competition for skilled talent is
intensifying. The data has renewed attention on the Netherlands international
student enrolment as a critical factor shaping the country’s future workforce.
The results show that different student groups have not been equally
affected by the slump. While non-European students had a more moderate
reduction of 1.3%, international bachelor's enrollments from European nations
fell by a more dramatic 4.4%. Almost every subject area saw a decline in the
number of overseas students, with the exception of shortage subjects like
engineering and healthcare.
This pattern reflects several turbulent years for Dutch higher
education. Under the previous far-right government, universities faced around
€1.2 billion in funding cuts, alongside policies aimed at reducing the number
of English-taught degree programs. These measures were designed to curb
Netherlands international student enrolment, particularly from within Europe,
amid concerns about housing shortages and pressure on public services.
The new coalition government's recent policy measures have been
cautiously welcomed by industry stakeholders. In addition to promising €1.5
billion in fresh funding for science and education, the administration has
promised to stop the elimination of programs taught in English. The planned
talent strategy, according to Van den Berg, is "an important starting
point" that could contribute to the restoration of systemic trust.
Forecasts from the Dutch education department, however, suggest that
overall student numbers could continue to fall by nearly 10% over the next
decade. This outlook makes Netherlands international student enrolment an
increasingly vital lever for maintaining institutional capacity, research
output, and labor market readiness.
In an earlier interview with The PIE News, Edwin Van Rest emphasized how
the problem is being made worse by demographic pressures. There are fewer local
students enrolling in higher education as a result of declining domestic
enrollments, which the most recent statistics confirms.
“International education is and will remain a very effective link to resolve this,” Van Rest said, arguing that international students contribute not only to skills supply but also to innovation, soft power, and national competitiveness. In this context, stabilizing Netherlands international student enrolment is increasingly viewed as a strategic necessity rather than a policy choice.
Universities Adopt Self-Regulatory Measures
Despite widespread opposition to the government's initial plans to
drastically cut down on foreign enrollment, Dutch universities have taken
action to handle internationalization in a more sustainable manner. UNL claims
that universities have reduced their foreign hiring outside of shortage
industries and have increased their openness with potential students regarding
issues like the lack of housing in large cities.
The goal of these self-regulatory initiatives is to balance addressing
domestic capacity constraints with preserving the advantages of
internationalization. Even as national policy starts to move in a more
encouraging direction, university leaders insist these initiatives will not
stop.
The Netherlands is still one of the most alluring places in Europe for
overseas education, even with recent drops. The nation has the third-highest
number of English-taught programs in Europe, according to data from
Studyportals. Nearly half of overseas graduates continue to work in the nation
after completing their education, giving it a near 50% retention rate.
Broader global trends also favor Europe. Studyportals data indicates a
17.5% rise in student interest in European destinations, while traditional
study hubs have seen their appeal decline by 25% over the past five years.
Against this backdrop, experts believe the Netherlands is well-positioned to
recover its international student enrolment if policy stability and investment
are sustained.
As enrolments continue to fall, the focus is shifting from short-term
controls to long-term strategy. The coming years will test whether renewed
investment, a national talent strategy, and institutional reforms can reverse
the decline and secure the skilled workforce needed for innovation and growth.
For now, Netherlands international student enrolment remains at the center of a
pivotal moment for Dutch higher education.
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