Study qualifies decline in young people's acceptance of homosexuality
A University of Amsterdam study finds mainly stable views between 2021 and 2024, with small differences between groups.
Recent reporting on acceptance of homosexuality among young people in the Netherlands has highlighted a sharp decline. The underlying University of Amsterdam study paints a more nuanced picture: views remained largely stable between 2021 and 2024, while boys scored more conservatively on average than girls.
The study was conducted by scientists from the University of Amsterdam on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science. The researchers analysed two datasets involving young people aged 12 to 18. One contained 1,656 pupils from eight secondary schools in 2024; the other consisted of more than 30,000 pupils from 114 schools that took part in repeated measurements between 2021 and 2024.
In the datasets studied, 59 per cent held progressive views on LGBTQI+ equality. This means that this group agreed with the principle that everyone is equal, regardless of whom someone is attracted to. For affective autonomy—the right to decide for oneself whom to fall in love with—the share of progressive responses was 65 per cent.
At the same time, young people were more reserved about specific issues relating to gender and visibility. Thus, 54 per cent held conservative views on gender, 61 per cent on gender-neutral toilets and 41 per cent on Paarse Vrijdag. The researchers stress that views are not uniform: progressive and conservative attitudes coexist.
Between 2021 and 2024, the researchers found a very small shift towards more conservative views. This shift was particularly visible among girls; according to the report, boys' views remained largely stable. The differences identified are statistically observable, but the effect sizes are, according to the authors, very small and therefore have limited practical significance.
The study does confirm a difference between groups. Boys had more conservative LGBTQI+ views on average than girls. Conservatism, religion and educational track were also associated with the responses. The researchers warn that some differences are small and that associations do not automatically show what causes young people to develop a particular attitude.
An earlier nationwide study by Rutgers and Soa Aids Nederland also shows a longer-term trend. In 2012, 52 per cent of boys disapproved of two boys kissing each other in the street; in 2023, the figure was 24 per cent. The new University of Amsterdam study and the Rutgers study do not measure exactly the same thing, but together they make clear that a general claim of a sudden nosedive is too strong. The ministry is using the findings for policy on acceptance, safety and education.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- The University of Amsterdam report measures different attitudes towards LGBTQI+ equality, gender and visibility.
- A majority supports LGBTQI+ equality and affective autonomy.
- Boys score more conservatively on average than girls.
- The study finds mainly stability and very small shifts between 2021 and 2024.
Left
Arguments The left will emphasise that formal equality is not enough if young people remain reserved in practice about visibility, gender expression or Paarse Vrijdag. It generally advocates structural education, safe schools and active protection against discrimination.
Values Equality, inclusion, social safety and protection of minorities.
Consequences From this perspective, less effort could lead to the normalisation of exclusion. More structural attention at school could expand the space for discussing differences openly.
Centre
Arguments The centre will mainly read the figures as a mixed picture requiring careful, evidence-based measures. It emphasises that schools should provide room for discussion and safety without forcing pupils into a political camp.
Values Proportionality, freedom of education, social cohesion and feasibility.
Consequences A targeted approach could retain support, but an overly broad or moralising campaign could instead provoke resistance and harden the debate.
Right
Arguments The right will emphasise that young people are entitled to hold different views and that schools should be cautious about ideological influence. The focus is on freedom of conscience, parental involvement and equal treatment without compulsory agreement with every norm.
Values Freedom of expression, parental responsibility, pluralism and limited government coercion.
Consequences From this perspective, more room for difference could increase trust, but critics fear that vulnerable pupils would consequently experience less protection or support.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved with corrections · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The figures from the University of Amsterdam report and the Rutgers study are verifiable and accurately presented. The original suggestion of a sharp general decline has been corrected because the University of Amsterdam report mainly describes stability and very small shifts.
- confirmed The University of Amsterdam study concerned Dutch young people aged 12 to 18. — This is stated in the report's methodology description. source
- confirmed The study used a dataset containing 1,656 pupils from eight schools. — The SMOJ dataset is described in these terms in the management summary. source
- confirmed A second dataset contained 30,120 pupils from 114 schools. — The BSM dataset is described in these terms in the report. source
- confirmed Fifty-nine per cent held progressive views on LGBTQI+ equality. — The percentage appears in the management summary of the University of Amsterdam report. source
- confirmed Views remained largely stable between 2021 and 2024. — The conclusion refers to a minimal shift towards more conservative views. source
- confirmed In 2012, 52 per cent of boys disapproved of two boys kissing in the street, compared with 24 per cent in 2023. — Rutgers reports these figures from Seks onder je 25e. source
1 correction(s) applied
- Was: Acceptance of homosexuality among young people has fallen sharply.Now: A University of Amsterdam study finds largely stable views between 2021 and 2024, with a very small shift towards more conservative attitudes. (The report finds no sharp general decline; the changes measured are very small and mainly visible among girls.)
Editor's note
The University of Amsterdam study is an empirical report commissioned by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, not a separate peer-reviewed publication. The term 'sharp decline' is not tenable for the nationwide trend between 2021 and 2024 and has been toned down in the text.Sources
- De lhbtiq+-opvattingen van jongeren — Rijksoverheid / Universiteit van Amsterdam
- Empirisch rapport De lhbtiq+-opvattingen van jongeren — Universiteit van Amsterdam
- Seks onder je 25e (2023) — Rutgers
More on this in Dutch media
- de Volkskrant — „jongeren lhbtiq+”
- RTL Nieuws — „jongeren lhbtiq+”
- NOS — „jongeren lhbtiq+”