Stress at home costs children from poorest families an average of € 1,800 per year in income

One in three primary school pupils in the Netherlands grows up in a stressful home situation. The stress is often caused by financial difficulties or caregiving responsibilities shouldered by one of the parents or even the children themselves. The report on the study points to clear repercussions: children perform less well at school and are more likely to develop mental health issues. At schools with lower-income populations, the number of children in stressful situations and with mental health challenges is nearly twice as high as at schools with higher-income families.

Annerie Vreugdenhil, Chair of ABN AMRO Foundation, says: “Equal opportunities for children are very important, and it’s concerning that we still see these situations so frequently in the Netherlands. It doesn’t only affect the children themselves but also Dutch society as a whole. ABN AMRO has worked for years to promote equal opportunities, and we will continue to advocate for this. That’s why we believe it’s important to share the findings of this study and work with our partners to create additional development opportunities for children.”

A month of lost schooling time

Teachers report that problems at home have a direct impact in the classroom: the school day often starts chaotically, delaying lessons. According to SEO calculations that assume half an hour of lost teaching time per day, this costs primary school children an average of one month of effective schooling per year. Teachers also observe that the mental health challenges their pupils are grappling with lead to lower academic performance and reduced concentration. This widens the gap between children growing up in stressful home environments and those raised in more stable situations.

The gap is also evident in the stark differences between primary schools with high and low parental incomes. At schools where parents have lower average earnings, more pupils have mental health issues. Primary school teachers estimate that around a quarter of the pupils in their classrooms struggle with stress and mental health challenges.

Severe future impact

The effects of inequality of opportunity extend beyond primary school. Children growing up in families with high levels of stress not only have to deal with learning gaps and mental health challenges but are also at risk of earning less as adults. According to the study, reducing stress levels to the national average could boost these children’s future gross annual income by an average of € 1,800. Even for children from families experiencing slightly less stress, bringing down stress levels can lead to better results at school, greater self-reliance and ultimately a higher income later in life.

Hans Spekman, Director of the Youth Education Fund, notes: “It is deeply distressing that in 2025 even more children are growing up without basic needs than in 2023. No bicycle or bed of their own, and no money for a museum visit – while these are vital to a child’s development. We can only address this by viewing schools not only as places to learn maths and reading but also as somewhere to build trust between children, parents and society. Schools see children every day and know what is needed.”

Call for structural solutions

The study makes it clear that it is not enough just to treat mental health issues; unhealthy financial situations at home must also be tackled. Schools play a crucial role in this as places of trust. For example, a liaison officer can help keep the home environment calm, reducing the loss of effective schooling time. So it’s essential to support schools and ask them what they need.

Study on ‘Inequality of opportunity in the Netherlands’

In 2021, 2023, 2024 and 2025, SEO Economic Research was commissioned by ABN AMRO Foundation and the Youth Education Fund to study inequality of opportunity in the Netherlands. Teachers of Group 5 primary school children completed a survey on opportunities for development and relaxation, and facilities in the home. A total of 514 schools from across the Netherlands participated in the study, which is comparable to the number in 2024.

ABN AMRO Foundation

ABN AMRO Foundation strives to promote equal opportunities. Each year, 20,000 children participate in activities organised by the Foundation, such as sports days and museum visits. More than 5,000 ABN AMRO employees actively volunteer at these events. Children gain knowledge and experiences they don’t get at school or at home, enjoy themselves and forget their worries for a while. This helps them build self-confidence and dare to think bigger about their future.

Youth Education Fund

The Youth Education Fund (Jeugdeducatiefonds) helps to create greater opportunities for development for children growing 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 to a pair of glasses, extra tutoring or a school trip. The goal is to maximise development opportunities for all children. In the 2024-2025 school year, the fund was able to reach more than 1.2 million primary school pupils.