Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Panama
Panama: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) was 191,589 in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Panama, 1970–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
Panama recorded 191,589 for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in 2023.
That represents a change of down 6.3% on the previous year and up 36.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Panama peaked at 204,406 in 2022 and was at its lowest, 8,947, in 1970.
Panama ranks 99th 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 Panama, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 8,947 | — |
| 1971 | 15,074 | +68.5% |
| 1972 | 18,280 | +21.3% |
| 1973 | 21,716 | +18.8% |
| 1974 | 24,292 | +11.9% |
| 1975 | 26,289 | +8.2% |
| 1976 | 30,473 | +15.9% |
| 1977 | 34,720 | +13.9% |
| 1978 | 34,302 | -1.2% |
| 1979 | 37,031 | +8.0% |
| 1980 | 40,369 | +9.0% |
| 1981 | 42,425 | +5.1% |
| 1982 | 45,060 | +6.2% |
| 1983 | 44,568 | -1.1% |
| 1984 | 52,224 | +17.2% |
| 1985 | 55,303 | +5.9% |
| 1986 | 62,143 | +12.4% |
| 1987 | 55,633 | -10.5% |
| 1988 | 51,650 | -7.2% |
| 1989 | 50,762 | -1.7% |
| 1990 | 53,235 | +4.9% |
| 1991 | 58,625 | +10.1% |
| 1992 | 63,848 | +8.9% |
| 1993 | 69,451 | +8.8% |
| 1994 | 69,437 | -0.0% |
| 1995 | 76,798 | +10.6% |
| 1996 | 80,980 | +5.4% |
| 1998 | 102,502 | +26.6% |
| 1999 | 108,764 | +6.1% |
| 2000 | 118,502 | +9.0% |
| 2001 | 117,864 | -0.5% |
| 2002 | 117,601 | -0.2% |
| 2003 | 130,026 | +10.6% |
| 2004 | 128,558 | -1.1% |
| 2005 | 126,242 | -1.8% |
| 2006 | 130,838 | +3.6% |
| 2007 | 132,660 | +1.4% |
| 2008 | 134,290 | +1.2% |
| 2009 | 135,209 | +0.7% |
| 2010 | 139,116 | +2.9% |
| 2011 | 133,497 | -4.0% |
| 2012 | 140,213 | +5.0% |
| 2014 | 145,430 | +3.7% |
| 2015 | 156,635 | +7.7% |
| 2016 | 161,102 | +2.9% |
| 2020 | 156,766 | -2.7% |
| 2021 | 185,167 | +18.1% |
| 2022 | 204,406 | +10.4% |
| 2023 | 191,589 | -6.3% |
Panama compared with similar countries
- Panama's 191,589 is above the median for high income countries, which is 158,952, 1.2× the median. (76 countries reporting)
- Panama's 191,589 is above the median for Latin America & Caribbean, which is 116,843, 1.6× the median. (38 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Panama 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | +68.5% | 8,947 | 15,074 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 25,112 | 8,947 | 37,031 | 10 |
| 1980s | 50,014 | 40,369 | 62,143 | 10 |
| 1990s | 75,960 | 53,235 | 108,764 | 9 |
| 2000s | 127,179 | 117,601 | 135,209 | 10 |
| 2010s | 145,999 | 133,497 | 161,102 | 6 |
| 2020s | 184,482 | 156,766 | 204,406 | 4 |
Countries ranked near Panama
More education data for Panama
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 23,777 (2017)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 10,042 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 47,857 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 46,052 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 311,983 (2017)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 451,308 (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 2.02 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0999 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Panama?
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Panama was 191,589 in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in Panama?
- The highest recorded value was 204,406 in 2022.
- What is the lowest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in Panama?
- The lowest recorded value was 8,947 in 1970.
- How does Panama rank for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes?
- Panama ranks 99th out of 200 countries with data for 2023.
- Is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes rising or falling in Panama?
- Over the last ten years it is up 36.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Panama 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