In February 2026, we finalised the International Benchmarking Study 2022–2025 conducted by EIPA in partnership with the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations of the Netherlands, with a Final Conference marking five years of research, collaboration, and shared learning on public sector performance.
Organised by the European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA), the conference brought together policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to discuss key results, lessons learned, and future perspectives from benchmarking across 35 countries, with particular relevance for the Netherlands.
About the Study
The International Benchmarking Study 2022–2025 examined public sector performance in 27 EU Member States, as well as the United Kingdom, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States.
We believe that excellent public services and effective policies are only possible when civil servants develop them based on solid evidence. EIPA’s international benchmarking study provides them with this kind of evidence to support them in their work. It is all about learning, also from practices abroad. ”
The study covered ten policy areas:
- Public Administration
- Social Safety
- Education
- Housing
- Economy, Infrastructure and Science, Technology and Innovation
- Social Security, Employment, Income and Wealth
- Environmental Protection and Climate Change
- Health
- Sports
- International Best Practices in Social Security Systems
The annual publication cycle has been complemented by the progressive launch of interactive dashboards for each policy area, ensuring continuous access to transparent, comparative, and up-to-date evidence.
About the Conference
Using a longitudinal and comparative approach, the study examines effectiveness, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, satisfaction, and trust in public services. At the Final Conference, experts presented updated findings across all policy areas, highlighted cross-cutting trends such as inflation and rising energy costs, and shared concrete best practices and case studies demonstrating innovative policy responses.
Highlights from Previous Years
2023 Benchmarking Study Launch (February 2024)
A two-day conference marked the launch of the 2023 Benchmarking Study, with in-depth analyses on environmental protection and climate change; economy, infrastructure, and innovation; and social security, employment, income, and wealth. Nearly 300 participants from Europe and beyond joined experts from international organisations and universities to discuss evidence-based approaches to improving public sector performance.
Through our analysis, we uncover the best practices that drive effective and equitable social security systems. By learning from each other, we can build stronger and more resilient social security systems.”
Launch of Public Sector Performance Dashboards (2023–2024)
We launched the first interactive dashboard in October 2023, followed by five additional dashboards in 2024 covering Social Safety, Education, Housing, Economy, and Social Security. In 2024, the dashboards were accessed 4.644 times, demonstrating strong demand for transparent, comparative data. Policymakers used these tools to benchmark performance, identify gaps, and learn from international best practices. Recordings of the accompanying dissemination events have further strengthened their role as a lasting knowledge resource.
Knowledge Dissemination in 2025
In February 2025, we held a two-day online conference to present the 2024 Benchmarking Results, focusing on Health, Sport, and international best practices in social security. Three new dashboards on environmental protection and climate change, health, and sport were released and accessed 1.812 times. Together with key experts we updated eight policy areas with consolidated results presented at the Final Conference. In 2026, updated findings across eight policy areas highlighted recent trends, best practices, and case studies, reinforcing EIPA’s role in supporting evidence-based policymaking.
