Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Cuba
Cuba: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) was 272,516 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
272,516
Change on year
down 16.8%
World rank
82nd
of 200 countries
All-time high
987,250
in 2008
All-time low
26,342
in 1971
Years of data
53
1971–2024
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Cuba, 1971–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
The most recent figure for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Cuba is 272,516, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of down 16.8% on the previous year and down 9.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Cuba peaked at 987,250 in 2008 and was at its lowest, 26,342, in 1971.
That places Cuba 82nd out of 200 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Cuba, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 26,342 | — |
| 1972 | 36,877 | +40.0% |
| 1973 | 48,735 | +32.2% |
| 1974 | 55,435 | +13.7% |
| 1975 | 68,051 | +22.8% |
| 1976 | 82,688 | +21.5% |
| 1977 | 106,850 | +29.2% |
| 1978 | 122,456 | +14.6% |
| 1979 | 133,014 | +8.6% |
| 1980 | 146,240 | +9.9% |
| 1981 | 151,733 | +3.8% |
| 1982 | 165,496 | +9.1% |
| 1983 | 173,403 | +4.8% |
| 1984 | 192,958 | +11.3% |
| 1985 | 212,155 | +9.9% |
| 1986 | 235,224 | +10.9% |
| 1987 | 256,619 | +9.1% |
| 1988 | 262,225 | +2.2% |
| 1989 | 250,604 | -4.4% |
| 1990 | 242,366 | -3.3% |
| 1991 | 242,434 | +0.0% |
| 1992 | 224,568 | -7.4% |
| 1993 | 198,474 | -11.6% |
| 1994 | 176,228 | -11.2% |
| 1995 | 140,815 | -20.1% |
| 1996 | 122,346 | -13.1% |
| 1997 | 111,587 | -8.8% |
| 1998 | 104,595 | -6.3% |
| 1999 | 153,463 | +46.7% |
| 2000 | 158,674 | +3.4% |
| 2001 | 178,021 | +12.2% |
| 2002 | 191,262 | +7.4% |
| 2003 | 235,997 | +23.4% |
| 2004 | 396,516 | +68.0% |
| 2005 | 471,858 | +19.0% |
| 2006 | 681,629 | +44.5% |
| 2007 | 864,846 | +26.9% |
| 2008 | 987,250 | +14.2% |
| 2009 | 970,895 | -1.7% |
| 2010 | 800,873 | -17.5% |
| 2011 | 664,775 | -17.0% |
| 2012 | 503,182 | -24.3% |
| 2013 | 373,286 | -25.8% |
| 2014 | 301,773 | -19.2% |
| 2015 | 261,413 | -13.4% |
| 2016 | 244,943 | -6.3% |
| 2017 | 286,542 | +17.0% |
| 2018 | 296,028 | +3.3% |
| 2019 | 313,285 | +5.8% |
| 2020 | 325,469 | +3.9% |
| 2021 | 358,387 | +10.1% |
| 2023 | 327,396 | -8.6% |
| 2024 | 272,516 | -16.8% |
Cuba compared with similar countries
- Cuba's 272,516 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 237,490, 1.1× the median. (56 countries reporting)
- Cuba's 272,516 is above the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 116,843, 2.3× the median. (38 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 75,605 | 26,342 | 133,014 | 9 |
| 1980s | 204,666 | 146,240 | 262,225 | 10 |
| 1990s | 171,688 | 104,595 | 242,434 | 10 |
| 2000s | 513,695 | 158,674 | 987,250 | 10 |
| 2010s | 404,610 | 244,943 | 800,873 | 10 |
| 2020s | 320,942 | 272,516 | 358,387 | 4 |
Countries ranked near Cuba
More education data for Cuba
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 78,576 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 4,635 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 171,121 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 162,406 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 662,491 (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 698,052 (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -3.62 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2020)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0636 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Cuba?
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Cuba was 272,516 in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in Cuba?
- The highest recorded value was 987,250 in 2008.
- What is the lowest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in Cuba?
- The lowest recorded value was 26,342 in 1971.
- How does Cuba rank for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes?
- Cuba ranks 82nd out of 200 countries with data for 2024.
- Is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes rising or falling in Cuba?
- Over the last ten years it is down 9.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Cuba data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release