Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Ghana
Ghana: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) was 693,463 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Ghana, 1971–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
Ghana recorded 693,463 for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in 2024.
That represents a change of down 1.3% on the previous year and up 72.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Ghana peaked at 702,457 in 2023 and was at its lowest, 5,426, in 1971.
Ghana ranks 45th 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 Ghana, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 5,426 | — |
| 1972 | 5,783 | +6.6% |
| 1973 | 6,391 | +10.5% |
| 1974 | 7,466 | +16.8% |
| 1975 | 8,022 | +7.4% |
| 1976 | 9,079 | +13.2% |
| 1982 | 16,161 | +78.0% |
| 1991 | 13,700 | -15.2% |
| 1992 | 16,095 | +17.5% |
| 1993 | 19,531 | +21.3% |
| 1994 | 20,338 | +4.1% |
| 2005 | 119,559 | +487.9% |
| 2006 | 110,184 | -7.8% |
| 2007 | 140,017 | +27.1% |
| 2008 | 190,273 | +35.9% |
| 2009 | 203,376 | +6.9% |
| 2011 | 285,862 | +40.6% |
| 2012 | 295,344 | +3.3% |
| 2013 | 354,818 | +20.1% |
| 2014 | 402,142 | +13.3% |
| 2015 | 417,534 | +3.8% |
| 2016 | 422,122 | +1.1% |
| 2017 | 443,978 | +5.2% |
| 2018 | 443,693 | -0.1% |
| 2019 | 496,148 | +11.8% |
| 2020 | 547,045 | +10.3% |
| 2021 | 580,751 | +6.2% |
| 2022 | 634,999 | +9.3% |
| 2023 | 702,457 | +10.6% |
| 2024 | 693,463 | -1.3% |
Ghana compared with similar countries
- Ghana's 693,463 is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 252,098, 2.8× the median. (43 countries reporting)
- Ghana's 693,463 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 83,195, 8.3× the median. (45 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Ghana changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | +487.9% | 20,338 | 119,559 |
| 1982 | +78.0% | 9,079 | 16,161 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 7,028 | 5,426 | 9,079 | 6 |
| 1980s | 16,161 | 16,161 | 16,161 | 1 |
| 1990s | 17,416 | 13,700 | 20,338 | 4 |
| 2000s | 152,682 | 110,184 | 203,376 | 5 |
| 2010s | 395,738 | 285,862 | 496,148 | 9 |
| 2020s | 631,743 | 547,045 | 702,457 | 5 |
Countries ranked near Ghana
More education data for Ghana
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 174,414 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 39,902 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 949,095 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 913,117 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 3.33 million (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 4.98 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 0.6567 % change on previous year (2022)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.1448 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Ghana?
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Ghana was 693,463 in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in Ghana?
- The highest recorded value was 702,457 in 2023.
- What is the lowest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in Ghana?
- The lowest recorded value was 5,426 in 1971.
- How does Ghana rank for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes?
- Ghana ranks 45th out of 200 countries with data for 2024.
- Is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes rising or falling in Ghana?
- Over the last ten years it is up 72.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Ghana 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