Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) was 9,041 in 2002. ◆ Volatile
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Sierra Leone, 1971–2002
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
The most recent figure for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Sierra Leone is 9,041, measured in 2002. That is the highest value across all 19 years on record.
That represents a change of up 1.4% on the previous year and up 90.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Sierra Leone peaked at 9,041 in 2002 and was at its lowest, 1,155, in 1971.
Sierra Leone ranks 164th of 200 countries on this measure, in the bottom 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 Sierra Leone, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 1,155 | — |
| 1972 | 1,266 | +9.6% |
| 1973 | 1,370 | +8.2% |
| 1974 | 1,476 | +7.7% |
| 1975 | 1,646 | +11.5% |
| 1976 | 1,642 | -0.2% |
| 1977 | 1,602 | -2.4% |
| 1978 | 1,594 | -0.5% |
| 1981 | 2,166 | +35.9% |
| 1984 | 1,996 | -7.8% |
| 1985 | 2,076 | +4.0% |
| 1986 | 5,690 | +174.1% |
| 1988 | 5,488 | -3.6% |
| 1989 | 5,202 | -5.2% |
| 1990 | 5,060 | -2.7% |
| 1991 | 4,742 | -6.3% |
| 2000 | 6,744 | +42.2% |
| 2001 | 8,913 | +32.2% |
| 2002 | 9,041 | +1.4% |
Sierra Leone compared with similar countries
- Sierra Leone's 9,041 is below the median for low income countries, which is 112,732, 8% of the median. (22 countries reporting)
- Sierra Leone's 9,041 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 83,195, 11% of the median. (45 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Sierra Leone 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | +174.1% | 2,076 | 5,690 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 1,469 | 1,155 | 1,646 | 8 |
| 1980s | 3,770 | 1,996 | 5,690 | 6 |
| 1990s | 4,901 | 4,742 | 5,060 | 2 |
| 2000s | 8,233 | 6,744 | 9,041 | 3 |
Countries ranked near Sierra Leone
More education data for Sierra Leone
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 38,043 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 73,295 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 85,708 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 92,723 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 1.16 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 2.07 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 2.52 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0.0003 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.2393 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Sierra Leone?
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Sierra Leone was 9,041 in 2002, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The highest recorded value was 9,041 in 2002.
- What is the lowest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in Sierra Leone?
- The lowest recorded value was 1,155 in 1971.
- How does Sierra Leone rank for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes?
- Sierra Leone ranks 164th out of 200 countries with data for 2002.
- Is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes rising or falling in Sierra Leone?
- Over the last ten years it is up 90.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sierra Leone 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.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 19 observations, free to reuse under CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics).
About this data
February 2026 Data Release