One in four primary school children suffers from money worries

Schools with children reporting above-average stress levels achieve significantly lower final test scores at the end of primary school (Group 8). Teachers identify a stressful home life as the biggest limiting factor in the development of younger children.

Financial worries most important source of stress

For the first time, a survey was held to identify which factors contribute to stressful home situations and found that well over a quarter of these involve financial stress. For an average classroom of 23 children, this implies that on average two children grow up in families grappling with financial issues. Such issues may take the shape of an inability to pay school fees (in 30% of cases) and/or to meet basic needs such as providing breakfast (25%).

Care responsibilities and social support

A stressful home situation may also reflect care factors, for example when the care of a family is shouldered by a single parent or because children have informal care responsibilities. Another typical issue is too small a social support network to help out in the family or insufficient official care provided by social services – a situation that applies to half of the families facing stressful home situations (15% of the total).

When stress is largely absent – for instance, when school fees and primary needs such as breakfast or having their own beds are met – these children gain greater scope to develop, the study found. Achievements at school improve as a result, boosting the exit level at which the child leaves school as well as their income later in life. At the end of the day, though, parental incomes are the key determining factor (80%) for the final scores children achieve at the end of primary school.

The right supportive structure

The research arises from collaboration between ABN AMRO Foundation and Jeugdeducatiefonds, which share a joint goal. For well over 20 years, ABN AMRO Foundation has been committed to helping children who grow up in less advantaged environments. Jeugdeducatiefonds helps to expand development opportunities for children who grow up at a disadvantage or in poverty.

Hans Spekman, Director of Jeugdeducatiefonds, says: “Around 1.4 million of this country’s children attend primary school. It’s painful to see how many of these children are facing stressful home situations, especially if we remember that we’re talking averages. Some school classes are made up entirely of kids who face money worries, violence or a lack of appropriate care in the home. And so we must invest unequally to create equal opportunities for all children. By providing school meals, for instance, and appropriate care for those who need it. Only if we do will children growing up in poverty have the same opportunities to fully develop in the same way as children who happen to have wealthier parents.”

Robert Swaak, ABN AMRO’s CEO, is similarly concerned about the survey findings: “Children deserve equal opportunities, irrespective of their backgrounds. Once again, the research shows how important it is for children to have the right supportive structure, such as a healthy breakfast, their own beds and, in the Netherlands, a bicycle. Far too often, all these are missing, and we have a long way to go still. Instead of worrying, these children should be able to dream of a great future and discover what their passion is.”

Research into inequality of opportunity in the Netherlands

In 2021, 2023 and 2024, SEO Economic Research was commissioned by ABN AMRO Foundation and Jeugdeducatiefonds to investigate inequality of opportunity in the Netherlands. Teachers of Group 5 primary school children were surveyed on development opportunities, relaxation and facilities in the home. A total 1,115 schools from all parts of the Netherlands participated in the survey.

About ABN AMRO Foundation

ABN AMRO Foundation has been committed for well over 20 years to helping children and young people who grow up in less advantaged environments. In close consultation with partner schools joined up with Jeugdeducatiefonds, the Foundation organises weekly social activities to broaden the horizons of young people with fewer opportunities. Such activities range from online language lessons to sports clinics with Ajax, visits to the theatre or an urban dance workshop. In 2023, over 12,000 kids and youngsters engaged in an activity, facilitated by a total of 5,000 ABN AMRO volunteers.

About Jeugdeducatiefonds

Jeugdeducatiefonds helps to expand development opportunities for children who grow up in poverty. Requests to the fund are made through their primary schools, as their teachers know best what’s needed. This may vary from a bicycle, a pair of glasses, some extra tutoring or a school trip. The goal is to maximise development opportunities for all children. In the 2023-24 school year, the fund succeeded in reaching over 850,000 primary school pupils.