Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Kuwait
Kuwait: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) was 121,840 in 2021. ◆ Volatile
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Kuwait, 1971–2021
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
The most recent figure for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Kuwait is 121,840, measured in 2021.
That represents a change of down 5.4% on the previous year and up 15.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Kuwait peaked at 128,762 in 2020 and was at its lowest, 2,686, in 1971.
Kuwait ranks 112th of 200 countries on this measure, 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 Kuwait, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 2,686 | — |
| 1972 | 3,573 | +33.0% |
| 1973 | 4,310 | +20.6% |
| 1974 | 5,303 | +23.0% |
| 1975 | 5,800 | +9.4% |
| 1976 | 8,104 | +39.7% |
| 1977 | 9,934 | +22.6% |
| 1978 | 12,391 | +24.7% |
| 1979 | 11,621 | -6.2% |
| 1980 | 12,435 | +7.0% |
| 1981 | 13,630 | +9.6% |
| 1982 | 15,725 | +15.4% |
| 1983 | 17,909 | +13.9% |
| 1984 | 19,185 | +7.1% |
| 1985 | 21,924 | +14.3% |
| 1986 | 23,678 | +8.0% |
| 1987 | 24,384 | +3.0% |
| 1988 | 25,521 | +4.7% |
| 1989 | 26,080 | +2.2% |
| 1990 | 22,020 | -15.6% |
| 1992 | 21,171 | -3.9% |
| 1993 | 22,113 | +4.4% |
| 1994 | 25,000 | +13.1% |
| 1995 | 27,646 | +10.6% |
| 1996 | 28,705 | +3.8% |
| 1997 | 29,509 | +2.8% |
| 1999 | 33,906 | +14.9% |
| 2001 | 34,779 | +2.6% |
| 2002 | 36,982 | +6.3% |
| 2003 | 37,153 | +0.5% |
| 2004 | 36,866 | -0.8% |
| 2014 | 105,856 | +187.1% |
| 2015 | 112,582 | +6.4% |
| 2016 | 117,247 | +4.1% |
| 2017 | 116,742 | -0.4% |
| 2018 | 116,336 | -0.3% |
| 2019 | 117,945 | +1.4% |
| 2020 | 128,762 | +9.2% |
| 2021 | 121,840 | -5.4% |
Kuwait compared with similar countries
- Kuwait's 121,840 is below the median for high income countries, which is 158,952, 77% of the median. (76 countries reporting)
- Kuwait's 121,840 is below the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 375,028, 32% of the median. (23 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Kuwait 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | +187.1% | 36,866 | 105,856 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 7,080 | 2,686 | 12,391 | 9 |
| 1980s | 20,047 | 12,435 | 26,080 | 10 |
| 1990s | 26,259 | 21,171 | 33,906 | 8 |
| 2000s | 36,445 | 34,779 | 37,153 | 4 |
| 2010s | 114,451 | 105,856 | 117,945 | 6 |
| 2020s | 125,301 | 121,840 | 128,762 | 2 |
Countries ranked near Kuwait
More education data for Kuwait
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 47,443 (2021)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 11 (2021)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 30,349 (2021)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 29,489 (2021)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 302,047 (2015)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 265,113 (2021)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -4.44 % change on previous year (2021)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2021)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0608 units per person (2021)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Kuwait?
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Kuwait was 121,840 in 2021, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in Kuwait?
- The highest recorded value was 128,762 in 2020.
- What is the lowest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in Kuwait?
- The lowest recorded value was 2,686 in 1971.
- How does Kuwait rank for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes?
- Kuwait ranks 112th out of 200 countries with data for 2021.
- Is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes rising or falling in Kuwait?
- Over the last ten years it is up 15.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Kuwait 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