Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Romania
Romania: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes was 538,720 in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
538,720
Change on year
down 2.8%
World rank
52nd
of 200 countries
All-time high
1.10 million
in 2009
All-time low
143,656
in 1974
Years of data
53
1971–2023
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Romania, 1971–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
Romania recorded 538,720 for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in 2023.
That represents a change of down 2.8% on the previous year and down 12.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Romania peaked at 1.10 million in 2009 and was at its lowest, 143,656, in 1974.
That places Romania 52nd out of 200 countries with data for 2023, putting it 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 in Romania, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 151,885 | — |
| 1972 | 148,428 | -2.3% |
| 1973 | 143,985 | -3.0% |
| 1974 | 143,656 | -0.2% |
| 1975 | 152,728 | +6.3% |
| 1976 | 164,567 | +7.8% |
| 1977 | 174,888 | +6.3% |
| 1978 | 182,337 | +4.3% |
| 1979 | 190,560 | +4.5% |
| 1980 | 192,546 | +1.0% |
| 1981 | 192,769 | +0.1% |
| 1982 | 190,903 | -1.0% |
| 1983 | 181,081 | -5.1% |
| 1984 | 174,042 | -3.9% |
| 1985 | 166,328 | -4.4% |
| 1986 | 159,798 | -3.9% |
| 1987 | 157,174 | -1.6% |
| 1988 | 157,041 | -0.1% |
| 1989 | 159,465 | +1.5% |
| 1990 | 164,507 | +3.2% |
| 1991 | 192,810 | +17.2% |
| 1992 | 215,226 | +11.6% |
| 1993 | 235,669 | +9.5% |
| 1994 | 250,087 | +6.1% |
| 1995 | 255,162 | +2.0% |
| 1996 | 336,141 | +31.7% |
| 1997 | 354,488 | +5.5% |
| 1998 | 360,590 | +1.7% |
| 1999 | 407,720 | +13.1% |
| 2000 | 452,621 | +11.0% |
| 2001 | 533,152 | +17.8% |
| 2002 | 582,221 | +9.2% |
| 2003 | 643,911 | +10.6% |
| 2004 | 685,718 | +6.5% |
| 2005 | 738,806 | +7.7% |
| 2006 | 834,969 | +13.0% |
| 2007 | 928,175 | +11.2% |
| 2008 | 1.06 million | +13.8% |
| 2009 | 1.10 million | +3.9% |
| 2010 | 999,523 | -9.0% |
| 2011 | 871,842 | -12.8% |
| 2012 | 705,333 | -19.1% |
| 2013 | 618,157 | -12.4% |
| 2014 | 578,706 | -6.4% |
| 2015 | 541,653 | -6.4% |
| 2016 | 535,218 | -1.2% |
| 2017 | 531,586 | -0.7% |
| 2018 | 538,871 | +1.4% |
| 2019 | 533,749 | -1.0% |
| 2020 | 543,299 | +1.8% |
| 2021 | 560,490 | +3.2% |
| 2022 | 554,007 | -1.2% |
| 2023 | 538,720 | -2.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 161,448 | 143,656 | 190,560 | 9 |
| 1980s | 173,115 | 157,041 | 192,769 | 10 |
| 1990s | 277,240 | 164,507 | 407,720 | 10 |
| 2000s | 755,438 | 452,621 | 1.10 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 645,464 | 531,586 | 999,523 | 10 |
| 2020s | 549,129 | 538,720 | 560,490 | 4 |
Countries ranked near Romania
More education data for Romania
- Primary education, teachers, gaps filled 47,769 (2023)
- Duration of pre primary education, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Duration of pre primary education 3 (2025)
- Official entrance age to pre primary education 3 (2025)
- Population ages 15-64 64.3% (2025)
- Population ages 0-14 15.6% (2025)
- Lower secondary school starting age 11 years (2025)
- Primary school starting age 6 years (2025)
- Primary secondary enrollment completion rates, gaps filled 84.95 (2023)
- School enrollment, primary 84.9% (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Romania?
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Romania was 538,720 in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in Romania?
- The highest recorded value was 1.10 million in 2009.
- What is the lowest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in Romania?
- The lowest recorded value was 143,656 in 1974.
- How does Romania rank for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes?
- Romania ranks 52nd out of 200 countries with data for 2023.
- Is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes rising or falling in Romania?
- Over the last ten years it is down 12.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Romania 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