Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in MDG: Developing Regions
MDG: Developing Regions: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) was 210.26 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in MDG: Developing Regions, 1970–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
MDG: Developing Regions recorded 210.26 million for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in 2024. That is the highest value across all 55 years on record.
The figure is up 1.7% on the previous year and up 35.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in MDG: Developing Regions peaked at 210.26 million in 2024 and was at its lowest, 9.27 million, in 1971.
MDG: Developing Regions ranks 9th of 221 groups 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 MDG: Developing Regions, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 25.90 million | — |
| 1971 | 9.27 million | -64.2% |
| 1972 | 16.76 million | +80.9% |
| 1973 | 12.37 million | -26.2% |
| 1974 | 18.87 million | +52.6% |
| 1975 | 19.24 million | +2.0% |
| 1976 | 13.88 million | -27.9% |
| 1977 | 14.72 million | +6.1% |
| 1978 | 15.66 million | +6.4% |
| 1979 | 16.53 million | +5.6% |
| 1980 | 17.70 million | +7.0% |
| 1981 | 19.76 million | +11.7% |
| 1982 | 20.79 million | +5.2% |
| 1983 | 22.63 million | +8.9% |
| 1984 | 30.19 million | +33.4% |
| 1985 | 32.60 million | +8.0% |
| 1986 | 27.73 million | -14.9% |
| 1987 | 30.30 million | +9.2% |
| 1988 | 29.92 million | -1.2% |
| 1989 | 31.33 million | +4.7% |
| 1990 | 31.00 million | -1.1% |
| 1991 | 32.75 million | +5.6% |
| 1992 | 38.50 million | +17.6% |
| 1993 | 37.85 million | -1.7% |
| 1994 | 40.82 million | +7.8% |
| 1995 | 42.72 million | +4.7% |
| 1996 | 40.60 million | -5.0% |
| 1997 | 48.50 million | +19.5% |
| 1998 | 49.12 million | +1.3% |
| 1999 | 52.13 million | +6.1% |
| 2000 | 55.18 million | +5.9% |
| 2001 | 59.99 million | +8.7% |
| 2002 | 65.86 million | +9.8% |
| 2003 | 72.05 million | +9.4% |
| 2004 | 78.06 million | +8.3% |
| 2005 | 83.43 million | +6.9% |
| 2006 | 92.47 million | +10.8% |
| 2007 | 97.63 million | +5.6% |
| 2008 | 105.63 million | +8.2% |
| 2009 | 112.67 million | +6.7% |
| 2010 | 120.74 million | +7.2% |
| 2011 | 130.18 million | +7.8% |
| 2012 | 137.25 million | +5.4% |
| 2013 | 141.46 million | +3.1% |
| 2014 | 154.87 million | +9.5% |
| 2015 | 161.36 million | +4.2% |
| 2016 | 164.85 million | +2.2% |
| 2017 | 167.31 million | +1.5% |
| 2018 | 169.87 million | +1.5% |
| 2019 | 175.42 million | +3.3% |
| 2020 | 182.20 million | +3.9% |
| 2021 | 191.18 million | +4.9% |
| 2022 | 198.67 million | +3.9% |
| 2023 | 206.77 million | +4.1% |
| 2024 | 210.26 million | +1.7% |
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in MDG: Developing Regions 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | +80.9% | 9.27 million | 16.76 million |
| 1971 | -64.2% | 25.90 million | 9.27 million |
| 1974 | +52.6% | 12.37 million | 18.87 million |
| 1976 | -27.9% | 19.24 million | 13.88 million |
| 1973 | -26.2% | 16.76 million | 12.37 million |
| 1984 | +33.4% | 22.63 million | 30.19 million |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 16.32 million | 9.27 million | 25.90 million | 10 |
| 1980s | 26.30 million | 17.70 million | 32.60 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 41.40 million | 31.00 million | 52.13 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 82.30 million | 55.18 million | 112.67 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 152.33 million | 120.74 million | 175.42 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 197.81 million | 182.20 million | 210.26 million | 5 |
Countries ranked near MDG: Developing Regions
More education data for MDG: Developing Regions
- Enrolment in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 552.42 million (2024)
- Enrolment in secondary education, female (number), annual growth rate 0.8747 % change on previous year (2024)
- Enrolment in secondary education, female (number), gaps filled 266.40 million (2024)
- Teachers in primary education, both sexes (number), annual growth rate 1.51 % change on previous year (2024)
- Teachers in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 28.60 million (2024)
- Enrolment in secondary education, both sexes (number), annual growth 0.6758 % change on previous year (2024)
- Enrolment in primary education, female (number), annual growth rate 1.89 % change on previous year (2024)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), annual growth 1.63 % change on previous year (2024)
- Enrolment in primary education, female (number), gaps filled 339.76 million (2024)
- Enrolment in secondary education, male (number), gaps filled 286.02 million (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in MDG: Developing Regions?
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in MDG: Developing Regions was 210.26 million in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in MDG: Developing Regions?
- The highest recorded value was 210.26 million in 2024.
- What is the lowest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in MDG: Developing Regions?
- The lowest recorded value was 9.27 million in 1971.
- How does MDG: Developing Regions rank for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes?
- MDG: Developing Regions ranks 9th out of 221 groups with data for 2024.
- Is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes rising or falling in MDG: Developing Regions?
- Over the last ten years it is up 35.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this MDG: Developing Regions 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