Politics · Netherlands · 1 hr ago
Nearly 5,000 Dutch students have debts of at least €100,000
Nearly 5,000 students and former students in the Netherlands had study debts of at least €100,000 in 2026, according to the country's statistics office.
That number was up from more than 3,000 in 2025.
Economics professor Bas Jacobs says repaying a debt of €100,000 is manageable for the average student.
But a large study debt can make it harder to buy a home, because lenders may offer a smaller mortgage.
This means borrowers with high debts can face a disadvantage in the housing market.
The figures do not say what will happen to these debts next.
Nearly 5,000 Dutch students and former students had study debts of at least €100,000 in 2026, according to Statistics Netherlands.
The number rose from more than 3,000 in 2025.
Economics professor Bas Jacobs said repaying a debt of €100,000 is manageable for the average student.
A high study debt can make it harder to buy a home because it can reduce the mortgage a person can get.
- Who
- Nearly 5,000 students and former students in the Netherlands.
- What
- They had study debts of at least €100,000.
- When
- In 2026; the figure was more than 3,000 in 2025.
- Where
- The Netherlands.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
More than 3,000 students and former students had study debts above €100,000.
Nearly 5,000 students and former students had study debts of at least €100,000, according to Statistics Netherlands.
- People affected
- Nearly 5,000 students and former students
- Debt threshold
- €100,000
- Earlier figure
- More than 3,000 in 2025
- Source of estimate
- Statistics Netherlands
What people are saying
Repaying a hundred thousand in study debt is manageable for the average student.
Sources
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