Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in UNICEF: World
UNICEF: World: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes was 268.06 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
268.06 million
Change on year
up 1.3%
Rank
5th
of 221 groups
All-time high
268.06 million
in 2024
All-time low
36.11 million
in 1971
Years of data
55
1970–2024
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in UNICEF: World, 1970–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
In 2024, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in UNICEF: World stood at 268.06 million. That is the highest value across all 55 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.3% on the previous year and up 26.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in UNICEF: World peaked at 268.06 million in 2024 and was at its lowest, 36.11 million, in 1971.
That places UNICEF: World 5th out of 221 groups with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
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 UNICEF: World, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 70.62 million | — |
| 1971 | 36.11 million | -48.9% |
| 1972 | 44.68 million | +23.7% |
| 1973 | 41.30 million | -7.6% |
| 1974 | 48.68 million | +17.9% |
| 1975 | 49.82 million | +2.3% |
| 1976 | 46.05 million | -7.6% |
| 1977 | 47.33 million | +2.8% |
| 1978 | 48.66 million | +2.8% |
| 1979 | 49.66 million | +2.1% |
| 1980 | 51.26 million | +3.2% |
| 1981 | 53.37 million | +4.1% |
| 1982 | 55.71 million | +4.4% |
| 1983 | 56.95 million | +2.2% |
| 1984 | 65.49 million | +15.0% |
| 1985 | 67.14 million | +2.5% |
| 1986 | 62.41 million | -7.0% |
| 1987 | 65.25 million | +4.5% |
| 1988 | 65.51 million | +0.4% |
| 1989 | 68.13 million | +4.0% |
| 1990 | 68.63 million | +0.7% |
| 1991 | 70.58 million | +2.8% |
| 1992 | 77.84 million | +10.3% |
| 1993 | 80.01 million | +2.8% |
| 1994 | 82.29 million | +2.9% |
| 1995 | 84.53 million | +2.7% |
| 1996 | 84.41 million | -0.1% |
| 1997 | 92.10 million | +9.1% |
| 1998 | 93.05 million | +1.0% |
| 1999 | 97.73 million | +5.0% |
| 2000 | 102.62 million | +5.0% |
| 2001 | 110.28 million | +7.5% |
| 2002 | 119.21 million | +8.1% |
| 2003 | 127.42 million | +6.9% |
| 2004 | 134.46 million | +5.5% |
| 2005 | 140.72 million | +4.7% |
| 2006 | 150.84 million | +7.2% |
| 2007 | 156.76 million | +3.9% |
| 2008 | 165.36 million | +5.5% |
| 2009 | 173.32 million | +4.8% |
| 2010 | 181.44 million | +4.7% |
| 2011 | 190.66 million | +5.1% |
| 2012 | 196.86 million | +3.3% |
| 2013 | 200.12 million | +1.7% |
| 2014 | 212.60 million | +6.2% |
| 2015 | 217.96 million | +2.5% |
| 2016 | 220.78 million | +1.3% |
| 2017 | 222.69 million | +0.9% |
| 2018 | 225.08 million | +1.1% |
| 2019 | 231.04 million | +2.6% |
| 2020 | 238.28 million | +3.1% |
| 2021 | 247.76 million | +4.0% |
| 2022 | 255.75 million | +3.2% |
| 2023 | 264.49 million | +3.4% |
| 2024 | 268.06 million | +1.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 48.29 million | 36.11 million | 70.62 million | 10 |
| 1980s | 61.12 million | 51.26 million | 68.13 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 83.11 million | 68.63 million | 97.73 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 138.10 million | 102.62 million | 173.32 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 209.92 million | 181.44 million | 231.04 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 254.87 million | 238.28 million | 268.06 million | 5 |
Countries ranked near UNICEF: World
More education data for UNICEF: World
- Enrolment in secondary education, both sexes 651.03 million (2024)
- Enrolment in secondary education, female 314.34 million (2024)
- Share of all students in secondary education enrolled in vocational 10.2% (2024)
- Enrolment in secondary education, male 336.69 million (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes 206.38 million (2024)
- Teachers in primary education, both sexes 34.04 million (2024)
- Share of all students in secondary education enrolled in general 89.8% (2024)
- School age population, upper secondary education, female 199.52 million (2024)
- School age population, upper secondary education, both sexes 412.45 million (2024)
- School age population, upper secondary education, male 212.93 million (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in UNICEF: World?
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in UNICEF: World was 268.06 million in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in UNICEF: World?
- The highest recorded value was 268.06 million in 2024.
- What is the lowest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in UNICEF: World?
- The lowest recorded value was 36.11 million in 1971.
- How does UNICEF: World rank for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes?
- UNICEF: World ranks 5th out of 221 groups with data for 2024.
- Is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes rising or falling in UNICEF: World?
- Over the last ten years it is up 26.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this UNICEF: World 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