Enrollment decline at Dutch universities raises concerns

Dutch universities are experiencing a concerning decline in student enrollment, with a 3.5% drop in bachelor's program enrollment for both Dutch and international students. The figure, still provisional, has been reported today by the university association Universiteiten van Nederland.

This trend is expected to continue, with overall enrollment projected to decrease by nearly 10% to 304,000 by 2035. The universities are concerned about the impact on small programs and the potential loss of talent, and are calling on the government to develop a clear strategy to attract and retain talent.

Need for a strategy

The sharpest decline is seen among international students from the European Economic Area (EEA), with a decline of almost 5%. While the number of students from outside the EEA has remained relatively stable, the overall trend points to a shrinking student body. The figures are provisional.

UNL chairman Caspar van den Berg: “The inflow of international students is declining for the third year in a row. There is now also a decrease in the number of Dutch students. For all the ambitions we saw in the election manifestos, we need sufficient knowledge and talent. So it is urgent that a new cabinet make a clear strategy on how we can continue to attract, train, and retain that talent. Sufficient talent cannot only come from the Netherlands; we simply have too few young people for that.”

Sector-specific variations

The enrollment decline isn't uniform across all academic disciplines. The natural sciences have been particularly hard hit, with a decrease of over 9% in bachelor's enrollment. In contrast, the technical sector has maintained a more stable enrollment, with a decrease in Dutch students being offset by an increase in international students.

Strategic responses and future outlook

With total student enrollment at Dutch universities currently at 332,000, the projected decline to 304,000 by 2035 underscores the need for proactive measures. Universities are also planning substantial cuts, particularly in personnel and accommodation, which may lead to an increase in the number of students per college. The coming years will be critical for Dutch universities as they navigate these challenges and strive to maintain their academic standing and financial stability.