Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in MDG: World
MDG: World: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes was 268.57 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
268.57 million
Change on year
up 1.4%
Rank
1st
of 221 groups
All-time high
268.57 million
in 2024
All-time low
36.21 million
in 1971
Years of data
55
1970–2024
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in MDG: World, 1970–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
The most recent figure for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in MDG: World is 268.57 million, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 55 years on record.
That represents a change of up 1.4% on the previous year and up 26.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in MDG: World peaked at 268.57 million in 2024 and was at its lowest, 36.21 million, in 1971.
That places MDG: World 1st out of 221 groups with data for 2024, putting it 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 in MDG: World, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 71.03 million | — |
| 1971 | 36.21 million | -49.0% |
| 1972 | 44.80 million | +23.7% |
| 1973 | 41.43 million | -7.5% |
| 1974 | 48.82 million | +17.8% |
| 1975 | 49.97 million | +2.4% |
| 1976 | 46.22 million | -7.5% |
| 1977 | 47.49 million | +2.8% |
| 1978 | 48.95 million | +3.1% |
| 1979 | 49.86 million | +1.9% |
| 1980 | 51.46 million | +3.2% |
| 1981 | 53.67 million | +4.3% |
| 1982 | 55.93 million | +4.2% |
| 1983 | 57.28 million | +2.4% |
| 1984 | 65.83 million | +14.9% |
| 1985 | 67.55 million | +2.6% |
| 1986 | 62.83 million | -7.0% |
| 1987 | 65.66 million | +4.5% |
| 1988 | 65.92 million | +0.4% |
| 1989 | 68.54 million | +4.0% |
| 1990 | 69.04 million | +0.7% |
| 1991 | 70.99 million | +2.8% |
| 1992 | 78.18 million | +10.1% |
| 1993 | 80.35 million | +2.8% |
| 1994 | 82.64 million | +2.8% |
| 1995 | 84.94 million | +2.8% |
| 1996 | 84.82 million | -0.1% |
| 1997 | 92.50 million | +9.1% |
| 1998 | 93.47 million | +1.0% |
| 1999 | 98.14 million | +5.0% |
| 2000 | 103.03 million | +5.0% |
| 2001 | 110.69 million | +7.4% |
| 2002 | 119.62 million | +8.1% |
| 2003 | 127.83 million | +6.9% |
| 2004 | 134.86 million | +5.5% |
| 2005 | 141.12 million | +4.6% |
| 2006 | 151.24 million | +7.2% |
| 2007 | 157.20 million | +3.9% |
| 2008 | 165.87 million | +5.5% |
| 2009 | 173.84 million | +4.8% |
| 2010 | 181.99 million | +4.7% |
| 2011 | 191.22 million | +5.1% |
| 2012 | 197.41 million | +3.2% |
| 2013 | 200.70 million | +1.7% |
| 2014 | 213.19 million | +6.2% |
| 2015 | 218.54 million | +2.5% |
| 2016 | 221.35 million | +1.3% |
| 2017 | 223.27 million | +0.9% |
| 2018 | 225.64 million | +1.1% |
| 2019 | 231.59 million | +2.6% |
| 2020 | 238.81 million | +3.1% |
| 2021 | 248.28 million | +4.0% |
| 2022 | 256.26 million | +3.2% |
| 2023 | 264.99 million | +3.4% |
| 2024 | 268.57 million | +1.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 48.48 million | 36.21 million | 71.03 million | 10 |
| 1980s | 61.47 million | 51.46 million | 68.54 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 83.51 million | 69.04 million | 98.14 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 138.53 million | 103.03 million | 173.84 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 210.49 million | 181.99 million | 231.59 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 255.38 million | 238.81 million | 268.57 million | 5 |
Countries ranked near MDG: World
More education data for MDG: World
- Enrolment in secondary education, both sexes 651.68 million (2024)
- Enrolment in secondary education, female 314.66 million (2024)
- Share of all students in secondary education enrolled in vocational 10.2% (2024)
- Enrolment in secondary education, male 337.02 million (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes 206.57 million (2024)
- Teachers in primary education, both sexes 34.10 million (2024)
- Share of all students in secondary education enrolled in general 89.8% (2024)
- School age population, upper secondary education, female 199.67 million (2024)
- School age population, upper secondary education, both sexes 412.76 million (2024)
- School age population, upper secondary education, male 213.09 million (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in MDG: World?
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in MDG: World was 268.57 million in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in MDG: World?
- The highest recorded value was 268.57 million in 2024.
- What is the lowest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in MDG: World?
- The lowest recorded value was 36.21 million in 1971.
- How does MDG: World rank for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes?
- MDG: World ranks 1st out of 221 groups with data for 2024.
- Is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes rising or falling in MDG: World?
- Over the last ten years it is up 26.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this MDG: World 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