The Netherlands is seeing a sharp slowdown in the growth of international student enrollment – the lowest in a decade. For the 2024–2025 academic year, growth has slowed to just 3%, compared to 12% only three years ago, according to ETIAS.
This drop comes amid rising political pressure to limit international student numbers and scale back the number of degree programs offered in English. While some universities are still seeing modest growth, others are facing a significant decline in new international enrollments, creating an uneven impact across the country.
Dutch universities are increasingly concerned about the long-term effects. International students don’t just enrich classrooms; they often become graduate students, researchers, and skilled professionals who contribute to the Dutch economy. A sustained decline could reduce the talent pipeline for both academia and the broader workforce.
We’re keeping a close watch on the Dutch higher education landscape. While the Netherlands remains an attractive option for globally minded students, it’s important to factor in these shifting dynamics when building application strategies for the years ahead.
