Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Poland
Poland: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) was 1.40 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
1.40 million
Change on year
up 3.1%
World rank
35th
of 200 countries
All-time high
2.17 million
in 2008
All-time low
397,897
in 1971
Years of data
54
1971–2024
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Poland, 1971–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
The most recent figure for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Poland is 1.40 million, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 3.1% on the previous year and down 20.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Poland peaked at 2.17 million in 2008 and was at its lowest, 397,897, in 1971.
That places Poland 35th out of 200 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
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 Poland, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 397,897 | — |
| 1972 | 399,060 | +0.3% |
| 1973 | 429,646 | +7.7% |
| 1974 | 481,295 | +12.0% |
| 1975 | 521,899 | +8.4% |
| 1976 | 575,499 | +10.3% |
| 1977 | 613,842 | +6.7% |
| 1978 | 622,631 | +1.4% |
| 1979 | 626,289 | +0.6% |
| 1980 | 609,997 | -2.6% |
| 1981 | 589,134 | -3.4% |
| 1982 | 544,895 | -7.5% |
| 1983 | 495,902 | -9.0% |
| 1984 | 475,816 | -4.1% |
| 1985 | 456,661 | -4.0% |
| 1986 | 454,190 | -0.5% |
| 1987 | 450,205 | -0.9% |
| 1988 | 458,585 | +1.9% |
| 1989 | 493,552 | +7.6% |
| 1990 | 505,727 | +2.5% |
| 1991 | 544,893 | +7.7% |
| 1992 | 549,308 | +0.8% |
| 1993 | 627,308 | +14.2% |
| 1994 | 747,159 | +19.1% |
| 1995 | 876,057 | +17.3% |
| 1996 | 1.02 million | +16.6% |
| 1997 | 1.18 million | +15.8% |
| 1998 | 1.19 million | +0.7% |
| 1999 | 1.40 million | +17.5% |
| 2000 | 1.58 million | +12.9% |
| 2001 | 1.77 million | +12.4% |
| 2002 | 1.91 million | +7.4% |
| 2003 | 1.98 million | +4.0% |
| 2004 | 2.04 million | +3.1% |
| 2005 | 2.12 million | +3.6% |
| 2006 | 2.15 million | +1.3% |
| 2007 | 2.15 million | +0.1% |
| 2008 | 2.17 million | +0.9% |
| 2009 | 2.15 million | -0.7% |
| 2010 | 2.15 million | -0.1% |
| 2011 | 2.08 million | -3.2% |
| 2012 | 2.01 million | -3.5% |
| 2013 | 1.90 million | -5.2% |
| 2014 | 1.76 million | -7.4% |
| 2015 | 1.67 million | -5.5% |
| 2016 | 1.60 million | -3.9% |
| 2017 | 1.55 million | -3.1% |
| 2018 | 1.49 million | -3.7% |
| 2019 | 1.43 million | -4.1% |
| 2020 | 1.39 million | -2.9% |
| 2021 | 1.35 million | -3.0% |
| 2022 | 1.37 million | +1.3% |
| 2023 | 1.36 million | -0.7% |
| 2024 | 1.40 million | +3.1% |
Poland compared with similar countries
- Poland's 1.40 million is above the median for high income countries, which is 158,952, 8.8× the median. (76 countries reporting)
- Poland's 1.40 million is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 294,128, 4.8× the median. (52 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 518,673 | 397,897 | 626,289 | 9 |
| 1980s | 502,894 | 450,205 | 609,997 | 10 |
| 1990s | 864,435 | 505,727 | 1.40 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 2.00 million | 1.58 million | 2.17 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.76 million | 1.43 million | 2.15 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.37 million | 1.35 million | 1.40 million | 5 |
Countries ranked near Poland
More education data for Poland
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 322,900 (2025)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 15,398 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 776,213 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 735,804 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 3.33 million (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 1.60 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 0.04 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0438 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Poland?
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Poland was 1.40 million in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in Poland?
- The highest recorded value was 2.17 million in 2008.
- What is the lowest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in Poland?
- The lowest recorded value was 397,897 in 1971.
- How does Poland rank for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes?
- Poland ranks 35th out of 200 countries with data for 2024.
- Is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes rising or falling in Poland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 20.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Poland 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