Educational attainment, at least completed short-cycle tertiary in New Zealand

New Zealand: Educational attainment, at least completed short-cycle tertiary was 38.6% in 2020. ▲ Rising

Latest (2020)
38.6%
World rank
33rd
of 128 countries
All-time high
40.6%
in 2011
All-time low
25.3%
in 2001
Years of data
8
2001–2020

Educational attainment, at least completed short-cycle tertiary in New Zealand, 2001–2020

0102030402001201020202001: 25.3 cumulative2006: 32.3 cumulative2011: 40.6 cumulative2012: 39.7 cumulative2014: 32.9 cumulative2015: 32.2 cumulative2016: 34.1 cumulative2020: 38.6 cumulative

Source: Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Measured in cumulative.

Analysis

In 2020, educational attainment, at least completed short-cycle tertiary in New Zealand stood at 38.6%.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 4.9% over ten years.

Over the whole period, educational attainment, at least completed short-cycle tertiary in New Zealand peaked at 40.6% in 2011 and was at its lowest, 25.3%, in 2001.

New Zealand ranks 33rd of 128 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

Educational attainment, at least completed short-cycle tertiary in New Zealand, year by year

Annual values for Educational attainment, at least completed short-cycle tertiary, population 25+, female (%) (cumulative) in New Zealand, 2001 to 2020.
Year cumulative Change
2001 25.3%
2006 32.3% +27.7%
2011 40.6% +26.0%
2012 39.7% -2.4%
2014 32.9% -17.2%
2015 32.2% -2.0%
2016 34.1% +5.7%
2020 38.6% +13.4%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 28.8% 25.3% 32.3% 2
2010s 35.9% 32.2% 40.6% 5
2020s 38.6% 38.6% 38.6% 1

Countries ranked near New Zealand

  1. 30 Saudi Arabia 39.9% compare
  2. 31 Slovenia 39.4% compare
  3. 32 France 38.8% compare
  4. 34 Netherlands 38.5% compare
  5. 35 Andorra 37.9% compare
  6. 36 Seychelles 37.3% compare

See the full ranking of 128 places →

More education data for New Zealand

All data for New Zealand →

Frequently asked questions

What is educational attainment, at least completed short-cycle tertiary in New Zealand?
Educational attainment, at least completed short-cycle tertiary in New Zealand was 38.6% in 2020, according to Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
What is the highest educational attainment, at least completed short-cycle tertiary recorded in New Zealand?
The highest recorded value was 40.6% in 2011.
What is the lowest educational attainment, at least completed short-cycle tertiary recorded in New Zealand?
The lowest recorded value was 25.3% in 2001.
How does New Zealand rank for educational attainment, at least completed short-cycle tertiary?
New Zealand ranks 33rd out of 128 countries with data for 2020.
Is educational attainment, at least completed short-cycle tertiary rising or falling in New Zealand?
Over the last ten years it is down 4.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this New Zealand data come from?
The figures come from Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), published as part of Educational attainment, at least completed short-cycle tertiary, population 25+, female (%) (cumulative). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Educational attainment, at least completed short-cycle tertiary in New Zealand. Statizoid, drawing on Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Retrieved 04 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/stat/educational-attainment-at-least-completed-short-cycle-tertiary-population-25-female/new-zealand/

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About this data

Indicator
Educational attainment, at least completed short-cycle tertiary, population 25+, female (%) (cumulative)
Unit
cumulative
Source
Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
128 places, 2,110 data points, 1970–2025
Last refreshed

The percentage of population ages 25 and over that attained or completed short-cycle tertiary education.