Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Ethiopia
Ethiopia: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) was 587,015 in 2014. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2014)
587,015
Change on year
down 15.3%
World rank
49th
of 200 countries
All-time high
693,287
in 2012
All-time low
3,941
in 1973
Years of data
36
1971–2014
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Ethiopia, 1971–2014
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
The most recent figure for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Ethiopia is 587,015, measured in 2014.
That represents a change of down 15.3% on the previous year and up 241.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Ethiopia peaked at 693,287 in 2012 and was at its lowest, 3,941, in 1973.
Ethiopia ranks 49th of 200 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
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 Ethiopia, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 4,543 | — |
| 1972 | 4,978 | +9.6% |
| 1973 | 3,941 | -20.8% |
| 1974 | 6,474 | +64.3% |
| 1977 | 6,966 | +7.6% |
| 1978 | 10,824 | +55.4% |
| 1979 | 13,365 | +23.5% |
| 1980 | 14,949 | +11.9% |
| 1981 | 14,368 | -3.9% |
| 1982 | 14,985 | +4.3% |
| 1983 | 16,117 | +7.6% |
| 1984 | 16,030 | -0.5% |
| 1986 | 27,338 | +70.5% |
| 1987 | 30,210 | +10.5% |
| 1988 | 29,253 | -3.2% |
| 1989 | 31,204 | +6.7% |
| 1990 | 33,486 | +7.3% |
| 1991 | 34,076 | +1.8% |
| 1994 | 29,000 | -14.9% |
| 1995 | 32,671 | +12.7% |
| 1996 | 35,027 | +7.2% |
| 1997 | 42,226 | +20.6% |
| 1998 | 45,554 | +7.9% |
| 1999 | 52,305 | +14.8% |
| 2000 | 67,732 | +29.5% |
| 2001 | 87,431 | +29.1% |
| 2002 | 101,829 | +16.5% |
| 2003 | 147,954 | +45.3% |
| 2004 | 172,111 | +16.3% |
| 2005 | 191,212 | +11.1% |
| 2008 | 264,822 | +38.5% |
| 2009 | 401,918 | +51.8% |
| 2010 | 577,594 | +43.7% |
| 2011 | 632,344 | +9.5% |
| 2012 | 693,287 | +9.6% |
| 2014 | 587,015 | -15.3% |
Ethiopia compared with similar countries
- Ethiopia's 587,015 is above the median for low income countries, which is 112,732, 5.2× the median. (22 countries reporting)
- Ethiopia's 587,015 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 83,195, 7.1× the median. (45 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 7,299 | 3,941 | 13,365 | 7 |
| 1980s | 21,606 | 14,368 | 31,204 | 9 |
| 1990s | 38,043 | 29,000 | 52,305 | 8 |
| 2000s | 179,376 | 67,732 | 401,918 | 8 |
| 2010s | 622,560 | 577,594 | 693,287 | 4 |
Countries ranked near Ethiopia
More education data for Ethiopia
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 272,545 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 900,151 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 2.32 million (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 2.16 million (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 5.03 million (2015)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 15.93 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 2.45 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.1206 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Ethiopia?
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Ethiopia was 587,015 in 2014, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in Ethiopia?
- The highest recorded value was 693,287 in 2012.
- What is the lowest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in Ethiopia?
- The lowest recorded value was 3,941 in 1973.
- How does Ethiopia rank for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes?
- Ethiopia ranks 49th out of 200 countries with data for 2014.
- Is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes rising or falling in Ethiopia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 241.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Ethiopia 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