Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Singapore
Singapore: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) was 194,409 in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Singapore, 1970–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
In 2023, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Singapore stood at 194,409.
That represents a change of down 2.1% on the previous year and down 23.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Singapore peaked at 255,348 in 2012 and was at its lowest, 13,771, in 1970.
That places Singapore 98th 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 (number) in Singapore, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 13,771 | — |
| 1971 | 13,983 | +1.5% |
| 1972 | 15,598 | +11.5% |
| 1973 | 16,831 | +7.9% |
| 1974 | 18,195 | +8.1% |
| 1975 | 22,607 | +24.2% |
| 1976 | 22,969 | +1.6% |
| 1977 | 24,053 | +4.7% |
| 1978 | 24,114 | +0.3% |
| 1979 | 21,022 | -12.8% |
| 1980 | 23,256 | +10.6% |
| 1981 | 25,705 | +10.5% |
| 1982 | 30,966 | +20.5% |
| 1983 | 35,192 | +13.6% |
| 1984 | 35,943 | +2.1% |
| 1985 | 39,913 | +11.0% |
| 1986 | 42,317 | +6.0% |
| 1987 | 44,976 | +6.3% |
| 1988 | 46,990 | +4.5% |
| 1989 | 50,743 | +8.0% |
| 1990 | 55,672 | +9.7% |
| 1991 | 60,225 | +8.2% |
| 1992 | 65,359 | +8.5% |
| 1993 | 72,826 | +11.4% |
| 1994 | 75,985 | +4.3% |
| 1995 | 83,914 | +10.4% |
| 1996 | 92,140 | +9.8% |
| 2007 | 183,627 | +99.3% |
| 2008 | 198,634 | +8.2% |
| 2009 | 213,446 | +7.5% |
| 2010 | 236,891 | +11.0% |
| 2011 | 243,546 | +2.8% |
| 2012 | 255,348 | +4.8% |
| 2016 | 195,125 | -23.6% |
| 2017 | 194,615 | -0.3% |
| 2018 | 198,047 | +1.8% |
| 2019 | 197,930 | -0.1% |
| 2020 | 198,934 | +0.5% |
| 2021 | 203,965 | +2.5% |
| 2022 | 198,545 | -2.7% |
| 2023 | 194,409 | -2.1% |
Singapore compared with similar countries
- Singapore's 194,409 is above the median for high income countries, which is 158,952, 1.2× the median. (76 countries reporting)
- Singapore's 194,409 is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 103,347, 1.9× the median. (30 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Singapore 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | +99.3% | 92,140 | 183,627 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 19,314 | 13,771 | 24,114 | 10 |
| 1980s | 37,600 | 23,256 | 50,743 | 10 |
| 1990s | 72,303 | 55,672 | 92,140 | 7 |
| 2000s | 198,569 | 183,627 | 213,446 | 3 |
| 2010s | 217,357 | 194,615 | 255,348 | 7 |
| 2020s | 198,963 | 194,409 | 203,965 | 4 |
Countries ranked near Singapore
More education data for Singapore
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 13,601 (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 336 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 9,429 (1989)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 8,429 (1989)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 163,746 (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 238,816 (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 1.4 % change on previous year (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0404 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Singapore?
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Singapore was 194,409 in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in Singapore?
- The highest recorded value was 255,348 in 2012.
- What is the lowest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in Singapore?
- The lowest recorded value was 13,771 in 1970.
- How does Singapore rank for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes?
- Singapore ranks 98th out of 200 countries with data for 2023.
- Is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes rising or falling in Singapore?
- Over the last ten years it is down 23.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Singapore 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