ENROLLMENT IN HIGHER-EDUCATION IN THE NETHERLANDS

In this paper we investigate the determinants of higher education enro lment in The Netherlands and estimate three different economic models referring to investment motives, consumption motives, and a combinatio n of these two. By estimating these models for different years (1982 a nd 1991) we identify changes over time. The importance of financial va riables appears to be vanishing. Moreover, we find that enrolment is n o longer related to ability variables. We offer explanations for these findings. Finally, we employ the results to simulate some policy meas ures.