Children from the Chinese-Dutch community are doing so well at school, that they are getting better results than Dutch-background children.

Two thirds of pupils with Chinese immigrant backgrounds go on to the two highest levels of secondary education, whereas only half of Dutch-background pupils do. Out of all the population groups in the Netherlands, it is the Chinese that most often go on to higher education after school, according to the Netherlands Institute for Social Research (SCP).

Chinese-background people are also successful in the Dutch labour market. They are often employed in high-powered jobs and unemployment in the group is relatively low. The Institute of Social Research says this is because the Chinese attach great value to education and hard work.

An estimated 110,000 Chinese live in the Netherlands. Previously many of them worked in restaurants, but nowadays only 43 percent go into catering. Chinese people are more likely to become self-employed than someone with a Turkish or Dutch background.

The SCP reports large differences between the generations. First-generation Chinese tend to work hard in the catering sector and speak little Dutch. They are usually unskilled and live isolated lives, even from other Chinese people. The second generation tend to be much better integrated, have many Dutch friends and hold modern views.

(nc/mw)

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