Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Iran
Iran: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) was 3.34 million in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Iran, 1971–2022
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
The most recent figure for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Iran is 3.34 million, measured in 2022.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 8.8% on the previous year and down 24.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Iran peaked at 4.80 million in 2015 and was at its lowest, 74,708, in 1971.
Iran ranks 14th of 200 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
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 Iran, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 74,708 | — |
| 1972 | 97,338 | +30.3% |
| 1973 | 115,311 | +18.5% |
| 1974 | 123,114 | +6.8% |
| 1975 | 135,354 | +9.9% |
| 1976 | 151,905 | +12.2% |
| 1977 | 154,215 | +1.5% |
| 1978 | 155,811 | +1.0% |
| 1995 | 909,476 | +483.7% |
| 1996 | 1.05 million | +15.2% |
| 1999 | 1.31 million | +24.8% |
| 2000 | 1.40 million | +7.4% |
| 2001 | 1.57 million | +11.7% |
| 2002 | 1.57 million | -0.2% |
| 2003 | 1.71 million | +9.4% |
| 2004 | 1.95 million | +14.0% |
| 2005 | 2.13 million | +8.8% |
| 2006 | 2.40 million | +12.8% |
| 2007 | 2.83 million | +17.9% |
| 2008 | 3.39 million | +19.9% |
| 2009 | 3.35 million | -1.2% |
| 2010 | 3.79 million | +13.2% |
| 2011 | 4.12 million | +8.6% |
| 2012 | 4.40 million | +7.0% |
| 2013 | 4.37 million | -0.8% |
| 2014 | 4.69 million | +7.3% |
| 2015 | 4.80 million | +2.5% |
| 2016 | 4.35 million | -9.5% |
| 2017 | 4.07 million | -6.3% |
| 2018 | 3.62 million | -11.2% |
| 2019 | 3.37 million | -6.7% |
| 2020 | 3.18 million | -5.6% |
| 2021 | 3.07 million | -3.5% |
| 2022 | 3.34 million | +8.8% |
Iran compared with similar countries
- Iran's 3.34 million is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 237,490, 14.1× the median. (56 countries reporting)
- Iran's 3.34 million is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 375,028, 8.9× the median. (23 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Iran 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | +483.7% | 155,811 | 909,476 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 125,970 | 74,708 | 155,811 | 8 |
| 1990s | 1.09 million | 909,476 | 1.31 million | 3 |
| 2000s | 2.23 million | 1.40 million | 3.39 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 4.16 million | 3.37 million | 4.80 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 3.20 million | 3.07 million | 3.34 million | 3 |
Countries ranked near Iran
More education data for Iran
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 406,399 (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 108,066 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 519,698 (2020)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 505,053 (2020)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 6.62 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 9.09 million (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 3.31 % change on previous year (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.1003 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Iran?
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Iran was 3.34 million in 2022, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in Iran?
- The highest recorded value was 4.80 million in 2015.
- What is the lowest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in Iran?
- The lowest recorded value was 74,708 in 1971.
- How does Iran rank for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes?
- Iran ranks 14th out of 200 countries with data for 2022.
- Is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes rising or falling in Iran?
- Over the last ten years it is down 24.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Iran 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