Why is personal financial education missing from the Dutch education system?

Written by Jan Klinkhamer, co-founder Equip

By the time you graduate from high school, you're well-versed in history, English, and math. You might even know how to calculate a country’s GDP or read a company's balance sheet. These are important subjects, but do they truly prepare us for life? Shouldn't it be essential for children and young adults to learn about their personal finances? In this blog, which first appeared as a LinkedIn post, I share my vision for integrating personal finance education into the Dutch school system.

The gap in personal finance education

In the Netherlands, relatively little attention is given to personal finance within the education system. From primary school to higher education, almost nothing is taught about essential topics such as saving, investing, building a financial buffer, or planning for retirement.

The result? Many people—regardless of age or income—are left with unanswered questions about their personal finances. This leads to less confidence and missed opportunities to take proactive steps.

For younger generations, the consequences are often even more severe. Research from Wijzer in Geldzaken (2023) shows that 45% of Dutch youth are financially illiterate. This means they lack the knowledge and skills to make sound financial decisions and cannot independently achieve financial well-being.

The solution for financial education

It is essential that we, as a society, acknowledge this gap in education and take action. By integrating financial education into our school system, we can better prepare future generations for a successful financial future.

Until then, it is crucial that we take action ourselves. This is precisely what we at Equip work tirelessly for day and night: to provide as many people as possible with clarity, confidence, and control over their financial lives. Equip offers tools, experts, and insights on personal finance, all in an accessible way. As an employer, you can take the lead and offer this to all your employees.

How do you think we can improve financial education? Should it become a standard part of the curriculum? Get in touch with us to discuss further and find out how Equip can help your company.