74.3% of Dutch Students Work While Studying: EU Data Reveals Massive Employment Gap Across Europe

⬤ Eurostat's latest numbers paint a striking picture of how differently young Europeans experience education and work. Across the EU, about 25.4% of people aged 15 to 29 held jobs while still enrolled in school or university in 2024. But that average masks some pretty dramatic differences from country to country.

⬤ The Netherlands absolutely dominates this ranking, with an impressive 74.3% of students working while they study. That's nearly three times the EU average and way ahead of everyone else. The Dutch system seems perfectly set up for this—think flexible part-time jobs, student-friendly contracts, and a culture that expects young people to earn while they learn. Northern and western European countries generally show higher rates too, though nobody comes close to matching the Netherlands.

⬤ On the flip side, Romania sits at the bottom with only 2.4% of students working during their education. Throughout southern and eastern Europe, most students stay completely out of the workforce while studying. The chart makes it clear: in these countries, being a student typically means just being a student—no side job, no internship, just books and classes. This isn't about laziness or ambition—it reflects different education systems, limited job access for students, and varying economic realities.

⬤ Why does this matter? Getting work experience while studying can seriously impact how prepared young people are for their careers. Students who work tend to build practical skills earlier, have some financial independence, and often transition into full-time work more smoothly after graduation. Countries where hardly any students work might see their graduates struggling more with that awkward jump from classroom to career. The data shows there's no single "European" student experience—it's dozens of different realities shaped by local systems and opportunities.