Better education, bigger economic divide expected in Netherlands

The future holds better education, more space for the individual and more customization when it comes to work and learning for the Netherlands, according to the social and cultural planning office SCP's expectation for the Netherlands in 2050. But with that bigger disparities between people who can and can not keep up with developments and a bigger economic divide, NU.nl reports.

The SCP published its report titled "Into the future" on Wednesday. It discusses the main issues the Netherlands will face between now and 2050.

More room for individuals will bring many advantages with it, according to the SCP. For example, workers will be less restricted on when and where they work. And education will put more emphasis on customization to meet the students' needs. An increasing proportion of workers will do relatively short jobs for changing customers.

But with these advantages, there are also disadvantages ahead. More space for individualization, also means an increase in uncertainty, stress and vulnerabilities when it comes to privacy. The SCP expects that people will have more contacts and less time, which means that more and more contacts will be superficial. Self-presentation will become more important and intimacy and authenticity less so.

There will also be a bigger divide between people who can keep up with developments and those who can't. And with this comes a bigger economic divide.

According to the SCP, these changes call for solidarity to be rethought. The biggest challenge society and the government will face is how the Netherlands can mek the transition to a sustainable society based on solidarity, according to the SCP.