Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Pakistan
Pakistan: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) was 2.68 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Pakistan, 1971–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
In 2024, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Pakistan stood at 2.68 million.
That represents a change of up 4.5% on the previous year and up 38.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Pakistan peaked at 2.98 million in 2021 and was at its lowest, 104,452, in 1972.
Pakistan ranks 19th 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 Pakistan, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 114,980 | — |
| 1972 | 104,452 | -9.2% |
| 1973 | 107,757 | +3.2% |
| 1974 | 111,826 | +3.8% |
| 1975 | 114,913 | +2.8% |
| 1976 | 127,932 | +11.3% |
| 1977 | 133,465 | +4.3% |
| 1978 | 148,451 | +11.2% |
| 1979 | 153,536 | +3.4% |
| 1980 | 156,558 | +2.0% |
| 1986 | 267,742 | +71.0% |
| 1987 | 271,838 | +1.5% |
| 1988 | 315,793 | +16.2% |
| 1990 | 304,922 | -3.4% |
| 1992 | 221,313 | -27.4% |
| 2003 | 401,056 | +81.2% |
| 2004 | 520,666 | +29.8% |
| 2005 | 782,621 | +50.3% |
| 2006 | 820,347 | +4.8% |
| 2007 | 954,698 | +16.4% |
| 2008 | 973,792 | +2.0% |
| 2009 | 1.23 million | +25.9% |
| 2010 | 1.48 million | +20.9% |
| 2011 | 1.57 million | +6.1% |
| 2012 | 1.82 million | +15.5% |
| 2013 | 1.92 million | +5.4% |
| 2014 | 1.93 million | +0.9% |
| 2015 | 1.87 million | -3.1% |
| 2016 | 1.86 million | -0.8% |
| 2017 | 1.94 million | +4.6% |
| 2018 | 1.88 million | -3.3% |
| 2019 | 2.58 million | +37.6% |
| 2020 | 2.77 million | +7.3% |
| 2021 | 2.98 million | +7.6% |
| 2022 | 2.56 million | -14.2% |
| 2023 | 2.57 million | +0.3% |
| 2024 | 2.68 million | +4.5% |
Pakistan compared with similar countries
- Pakistan's 2.68 million is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 252,098, 10.6× the median. (43 countries reporting)
- Pakistan's 2.68 million is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 375,028, 7.2× the median. (23 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Pakistan 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | +81.2% | 221,313 | 401,056 |
| 1986 | +71.0% | 156,558 | 267,742 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 124,146 | 104,452 | 153,536 | 9 |
| 1980s | 252,983 | 156,558 | 315,793 | 4 |
| 1990s | 263,118 | 221,313 | 304,922 | 2 |
| 2000s | 811,311 | 401,056 | 1.23 million | 7 |
| 2010s | 1.89 million | 1.48 million | 2.58 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.71 million | 2.56 million | 2.98 million | 5 |
Countries ranked near Pakistan
More education data for Pakistan
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 2.04 million (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 440,233 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 5.05 million (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 4.90 million (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 19.70 million (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 25.38 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 3.1 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.101 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Pakistan?
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Pakistan was 2.68 million in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in Pakistan?
- The highest recorded value was 2.98 million in 2021.
- What is the lowest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in Pakistan?
- The lowest recorded value was 104,452 in 1972.
- How does Pakistan rank for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes?
- Pakistan ranks 19th out of 200 countries with data for 2024.
- Is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes rising or falling in Pakistan?
- Over the last ten years it is up 38.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Pakistan 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