China vs MDG: World: Enrolment in tertiary education, ISCED 5 programmes, both sexes

China
26.02 million
in 2024
MDG: World
52.70 million
in 2024
China rank
1st
MDG: World rank
1st

Enrolment in tertiary education, ISCED 5 programmes, both sexes over time

  • China
  • MDG: World
010.0M20.0M30.0M40.0M50.0M199820112024

How they compare

MDG: World currently reports 52.70 million against 26.02 million in China, a difference of 26.68 million.

That makes MDG: World's figure about 2.0 times China's.

Across all 26 years both countries report, MDG: World has been ahead every year.

China ranks 1st and MDG: World ranks 1st of 149 countries.

MDG: World has averaged higher in every one of the 4 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade China MDG: World Difference Ahead
1990s 3.21 million 20.99 million 17.78 million MDG: World
2000s 8.63 million 29.57 million 20.94 million MDG: World
2010s 16.74 million 42.38 million 25.64 million MDG: World
2020s 24.75 million 50.20 million 25.45 million MDG: World

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher enrolment in tertiary education, isced 5 programmes, both sexes, China or MDG: World?
MDG: World, at 52.70 million against 26.02 million in China as of 2024.
What is the difference in enrolment in tertiary education, isced 5 programmes, both sexes between China and MDG: World?
26.68 million, with MDG: World ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for China and MDG: World?
26 years are reported by both, from 1999 to 2024.
How do China and MDG: World rank globally for enrolment in tertiary education, isced 5 programmes, both sexes?
China ranks 1st and MDG: World ranks 1st of 149 countries.
Where does this data come from?
UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as Enrolment in tertiary education, ISCED 5 programmes, both sexes (number). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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China vs MDG: World: Enrolment in tertiary education, ISCED 5 programmes, both sexes. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 01 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/compare/enrolment-in-tertiary-education-isced-5-programmes-both-sexes-number-2/china/mdg-world/

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About this data

Indicator
Enrolment in tertiary education, ISCED 5 programmes, both sexes (number)
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics)
Coverage
367 places, 7,760 data points, 1997–2025
Last refreshed

February 2026 Data Release