Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in South Korea
South Korea: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) was 2.73 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
2.73 million
Change on year
down 1.2%
World rank
18th
of 200 countries
All-time high
3.36 million
in 2012
All-time low
201,436
in 1971
Years of data
54
1971–2024
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in South Korea, 1971–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
South Korea recorded 2.73 million for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 1.2% on the previous year and down 17.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in South Korea peaked at 3.36 million in 2012 and was at its lowest, 201,436, in 1971.
South Korea ranks 18th 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 South Korea, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 201,436 | — |
| 1972 | 214,653 | +6.6% |
| 1973 | 230,330 | +7.3% |
| 1974 | 250,233 | +8.6% |
| 1975 | 273,479 | +9.3% |
| 1976 | 318,683 | +16.5% |
| 1977 | 345,679 | +8.5% |
| 1978 | 385,699 | +11.6% |
| 1979 | 444,009 | +15.1% |
| 1980 | 538,726 | +21.3% |
| 1981 | 647,505 | +20.2% |
| 1982 | 829,915 | +28.2% |
| 1983 | 1.03 million | +24.0% |
| 1984 | 1.20 million | +17.0% |
| 1985 | 1.35 million | +11.7% |
| 1986 | 1.46 million | +8.2% |
| 1987 | 1.51 million | +4.1% |
| 1988 | 1.55 million | +2.2% |
| 1989 | 1.57 million | +1.6% |
| 1990 | 1.63 million | +3.6% |
| 1991 | 1.69 million | +3.7% |
| 1992 | 1.76 million | +4.2% |
| 1993 | 1.91 million | +8.5% |
| 1994 | 1.95 million | +2.0% |
| 1995 | 2.07 million | +5.9% |
| 1996 | 2.23 million | +7.7% |
| 1997 | 2.79 million | +25.5% |
| 1998 | 2.64 million | -5.6% |
| 1999 | 2.84 million | +7.6% |
| 2000 | 3.00 million | +5.8% |
| 2001 | 3.13 million | +4.2% |
| 2002 | 3.21 million | +2.6% |
| 2003 | 3.22 million | +0.4% |
| 2004 | 3.22 million | +0.0% |
| 2005 | 3.21 million | -0.5% |
| 2006 | 3.20 million | -0.2% |
| 2007 | 3.21 million | +0.1% |
| 2008 | 3.20 million | -0.1% |
| 2009 | 3.22 million | +0.5% |
| 2010 | 3.27 million | +1.6% |
| 2011 | 3.36 million | +2.6% |
| 2012 | 3.36 million | +0.0% |
| 2013 | 3.34 million | -0.4% |
| 2014 | 3.32 million | -0.7% |
| 2015 | 3.27 million | -1.5% |
| 2016 | 3.20 million | -2.0% |
| 2017 | 3.14 million | -2.1% |
| 2018 | 3.08 million | -1.7% |
| 2019 | 3.04 million | -1.6% |
| 2020 | 2.99 million | -1.4% |
| 2021 | 2.91 million | -2.9% |
| 2022 | 2.83 million | -2.8% |
| 2023 | 2.76 million | -2.3% |
| 2024 | 2.73 million | -1.2% |
South Korea compared with similar countries
- South Korea's 2.73 million is above the median for high income countries, which is 158,952, 17.2× the median. (76 countries reporting)
- South Korea's 2.73 million is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 103,347, 26.4× the median. (30 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 296,022 | 201,436 | 444,009 | 9 |
| 1980s | 1.17 million | 538,726 | 1.57 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 2.15 million | 1.63 million | 2.84 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 3.18 million | 3.00 million | 3.22 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 3.24 million | 3.04 million | 3.36 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.84 million | 2.73 million | 2.99 million | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Korea
More education data for South Korea
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 233,046 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 76 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 434,627 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 412,067 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 2.66 million (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 2.51 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -4.15 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0484 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in South Korea?
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in South Korea was 2.73 million in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in South Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 3.36 million in 2012.
- What is the lowest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in South Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 201,436 in 1971.
- How does South Korea rank for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes?
- South Korea ranks 18th out of 200 countries with data for 2024.
- Is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes rising or falling in South Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 17.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Korea 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