China vs WB: World: Enrolment in tertiary education, ISCED 5 programmes, both sexes
China
26.02 million
in 2024
WB: World
52.70 million
in 2024
China rank
1st
WB: World rank
4th
Enrolment in tertiary education, ISCED 5 programmes, both sexes over time
- China
- WB: World
How they compare
WB: World currently reports 52.70 million against 26.02 million in China, a difference of 26.68 million.
That makes WB: World's figure about 2.0 times China's.
Across all 26 years both countries report, WB: World has been ahead every year.
China ranks 1st and WB: World ranks 4th of 149 countries.
WB: World has averaged higher in every one of the 4 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | China | WB: World | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 3.21 million | 20.99 million | 17.78 million | WB: World |
| 2000s | 8.63 million | 29.57 million | 20.94 million | WB: World |
| 2010s | 16.74 million | 42.38 million | 25.64 million | WB: World |
| 2020s | 24.75 million | 50.20 million | 25.45 million | WB: 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 WB: World?
- WB: 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 WB: World?
- 26.68 million, with WB: World ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for China and WB: World?
- 26 years are reported by both, from 1999 to 2024.
- How do China and WB: World rank globally for enrolment in tertiary education, isced 5 programmes, both sexes?
- China ranks 1st and WB: World ranks 4th 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.
Individual pages
About this data
February 2026 Data Release