Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Ireland
Ireland: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) was 247,231 in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
247,231
Change on year
down 0.9%
World rank
89th
of 200 countries
All-time high
249,569
in 2021
All-time low
28,501
in 1971
Years of data
52
1971–2022
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Ireland, 1971–2022
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
Ireland recorded 247,231 for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in 2022.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.9% on the previous year and up 28.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Ireland peaked at 249,569 in 2021 and was at its lowest, 28,501, in 1971.
That places Ireland 89th out of 200 countries with data for 2022, 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 Ireland, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 28,501 | — |
| 1972 | 29,517 | +3.6% |
| 1973 | 30,020 | +1.7% |
| 1974 | 31,737 | +5.7% |
| 1975 | 37,897 | +19.4% |
| 1976 | 46,174 | +21.8% |
| 1977 | 46,515 | +0.7% |
| 1978 | 46,603 | +0.2% |
| 1979 | 47,254 | +1.4% |
| 1980 | 49,313 | +4.4% |
| 1981 | 54,746 | +11.0% |
| 1982 | 59,824 | +9.3% |
| 1983 | 64,116 | +7.2% |
| 1984 | 64,561 | +0.7% |
| 1985 | 67,378 | +4.4% |
| 1986 | 70,301 | +4.3% |
| 1987 | 73,450 | +4.5% |
| 1988 | 76,936 | +4.7% |
| 1989 | 81,133 | +5.5% |
| 1990 | 85,138 | +4.9% |
| 1991 | 90,296 | +6.1% |
| 1992 | 101,108 | +12.0% |
| 1993 | 108,394 | +7.2% |
| 1994 | 117,641 | +8.5% |
| 1995 | 121,401 | +3.2% |
| 1996 | 128,284 | +5.7% |
| 1997 | 134,566 | +4.9% |
| 1998 | 142,774 | +6.1% |
| 1999 | 151,137 | +5.9% |
| 2000 | 160,611 | +6.3% |
| 2001 | 166,600 | +3.7% |
| 2002 | 176,296 | +5.8% |
| 2003 | 181,557 | +3.0% |
| 2004 | 188,315 | +3.7% |
| 2005 | 186,561 | -0.9% |
| 2006 | 186,044 | -0.3% |
| 2007 | 190,349 | +2.3% |
| 2008 | 178,518 | -6.2% |
| 2009 | 182,609 | +2.3% |
| 2010 | 194,009 | +6.2% |
| 2011 | 196,321 | +1.2% |
| 2012 | 192,647 | -1.9% |
| 2013 | 199,428 | +3.5% |
| 2014 | 203,912 | +2.2% |
| 2015 | 214,632 | +5.3% |
| 2016 | 218,411 | +1.8% |
| 2017 | 225,031 | +3.0% |
| 2018 | 231,201 | +2.7% |
| 2019 | 232,512 | +0.6% |
| 2020 | 236,697 | +1.8% |
| 2021 | 249,569 | +5.4% |
| 2022 | 247,231 | -0.9% |
Ireland compared with similar countries
- Ireland's 247,231 is above the median for high income countries, which is 158,952, 1.6× the median. (76 countries reporting)
- Ireland's 247,231 is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 294,128, 84% of the median. (52 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 38,246 | 28,501 | 47,254 | 9 |
| 1980s | 66,176 | 49,313 | 81,133 | 10 |
| 1990s | 118,074 | 85,138 | 151,137 | 10 |
| 2000s | 179,746 | 160,611 | 190,349 | 10 |
| 2010s | 210,810 | 192,647 | 232,512 | 10 |
| 2020s | 244,499 | 236,697 | 249,569 | 3 |
Countries ranked near Ireland
More education data for Ireland
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 32,531 (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 1,942 (2022)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 52,745 (2022)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 49,975 (2022)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 456,625 (2022)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 548,873 (2022)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -1.49 % change on previous year (2022)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2022)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.1053 units per person (2022)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Ireland?
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Ireland was 247,231 in 2022, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was 249,569 in 2021.
- What is the lowest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in Ireland?
- The lowest recorded value was 28,501 in 1971.
- How does Ireland rank for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes?
- Ireland ranks 89th out of 200 countries with data for 2022.
- Is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes rising or falling in Ireland?
- Over the last ten years it is up 28.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Ireland 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