Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) was -5.98 % change on previous year in 2023. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2023)
-5.98 % change on previous year
Change on year
down 168.3%
World rank
174th
of 189 countries
All-time high
139.62 % change on previous year
in 1979
All-time low
-9.76 % change on previous year
in 1985
Years of data
23
1971–2023

Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Sri Lanka, 1971–2023

0501001501971199720231971: 14 % change on previous year1974: 3.3 % change on previous year1975: 5.9 % change on previous year1978: 4.5 % change on previous year1979: 139.6 % change on previous year1982: 29.6 % change on previous year1983: 11.1 % change on previous year1984: 3.2 % change on previous year1985: -9.8 % change on previous year1986: 3.8 % change on previous year2011: -7.4 % change on previous year2012: 12 % change on previous year2013: 9.7 % change on previous year2014: 1.3 % change on previous year2015: 2.1 % change on previous year2016: -5.7 % change on previous year2017: 0 % change on previous year2018: 3.5 % change on previous year2019: 8.3 % change on previous year2020: 3.6 % change on previous year2021: 3.7 % change on previous year2022: 8.8 % change on previous year2023: -6 % change on previous year

Source: Statizoid (derived). Measured in % change on previous year.

Analysis

In 2023, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Sri Lanka stood at -5.98 % change on previous year.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 168.3% on the previous year and down 161.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Sri Lanka peaked at 139.62 % change on previous year in 1979 and was at its lowest, -9.76 % change on previous year, in 1985.

Sri Lanka ranks 174th of 189 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 Sri Lanka, year by year

Annual values for Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number), annual growth rate in Sri Lanka, 1971 to 2023.
Year % change on previous year Change
1971 13.97 % change on previous year
1974 3.3 % change on previous year -76.3%
1975 5.89 % change on previous year +78.2%
1978 4.51 % change on previous year -23.4%
1979 139.62 % change on previous year +2993.9%
1982 29.62 % change on previous year -78.8%
1983 11.12 % change on previous year -62.5%
1984 3.24 % change on previous year -70.8%
1985 -9.76 % change on previous year -400.9%
1986 3.79 % change on previous year -138.9%
2011 -7.39 % change on previous year -295.0%
2012 12.01 % change on previous year -262.4%
2013 9.73 % change on previous year -19.0%
2014 1.31 % change on previous year -86.5%
2015 2.09 % change on previous year +60.0%
2016 -5.68 % change on previous year -371.4%
2017 0.0003 % change on previous year -100.0%
2018 3.55 % change on previous year +1029797.7%
2019 8.34 % change on previous year +135.1%
2020 3.64 % change on previous year -56.3%
2021 3.72 % change on previous year +2.1%
2022 8.76 % change on previous year +135.5%
2023 -5.98 % change on previous year -168.3%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1970s 33.46 % change on previous year 3.3 % change on previous year 139.62 % change on previous year 5
1980s 7.6 % change on previous year -9.76 % change on previous year 29.62 % change on previous year 5
2010s 2.66 % change on previous year -7.39 % change on previous year 12.01 % change on previous year 9
2020s 2.54 % change on previous year -5.98 % change on previous year 8.76 % change on previous year 4

Countries ranked near Sri Lanka

  1. 171 Congo -5.77 % change on previous year compare
  2. 172 Central African Republic -5.77 % change on previous year compare
  3. 173 Lebanon -5.86 % change on previous year compare
  4. 175 Panama -6.27 % change on previous year compare
  5. 176 Cape Verde -6.32 % change on previous year compare
  6. 177 Eritrea -6.46 % change on previous year compare

See the full ranking of 410 places →

More education data for Sri Lanka

All data for Sri Lanka →

Frequently asked questions

What is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Sri Lanka?
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Sri Lanka was -5.98 % change on previous year in 2023, according to Statizoid (derived).
What is the highest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) recorded in Sri Lanka?
The highest recorded value was 139.62 % change on previous year in 1979.
What is the lowest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) recorded in Sri Lanka?
The lowest recorded value was -9.76 % change on previous year in 1985.
How does Sri Lanka rank for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number)?
Sri Lanka ranks 174th out of 189 countries with data for 2023.
Is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) rising or falling in Sri Lanka?
Over the last ten years it is down 161.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Sri Lanka data come from?
The figures come from Statizoid (derived), published as part of Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number), annual growth rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Sri Lanka. Statizoid, drawing on Statizoid (derived). Retrieved 05 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/stat/enrolment-in-tertiary-education-all-programmes-both-sexes-number-annual-growth-rate/sri-lanka/

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<a href="https://education.statizoid.com/stat/enrolment-in-tertiary-education-all-programmes-both-sexes-number-annual-growth-rate/sri-lanka/">Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Sri Lanka</a> — Statizoid

How this figure is calculated

The year-on-year percentage change in Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number). Computed from consecutive annual observations; years either side of a gap are skipped rather than bridged.

Computed from

Statizoid computes this series; the underlying measurements belong to the publishers named above. The arithmetic is applied to every country and year where both inputs report, and nothing is estimated unless the page says so.

About this data

Indicator
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number), annual growth rate
Unit
% change on previous year
Source
Statizoid (derived)
Licence
Derived by Statizoid from the sources named on the page
Coverage
410 places, 17,230 data points, 1971–2025
Last refreshed

The year-on-year percentage change in Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number). Computed from consecutive annual observations; years either side of a gap are skipped rather than bridged.