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

Iran: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) was 3.34 million in 2022. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2022)
3.34 million
Change on year
up 8.8%
World rank
14th
of 200 countries
All-time high
4.80 million
in 2015
All-time low
74,708
in 1971
Years of data
36
1971–2022

Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Iran, 1971–2022

01.0M2.0M3.0M4.0M5.0M1971199620221971: 74.7k1972: 97.3k1973: 115.3k1974: 123.1k1975: 135.4k1976: 151.9k1977: 154.2k1978: 155.8k1995: 909.5k1996: 1.0M1997: 1.1M1998: 1.2M1999: 1.3M2000: 1.4M2001: 1.6M2002: 1.6M2003: 1.7M2004: 2.0M2005: 2.1M2006: 2.4M2007: 2.8M2008: 3.4M2009: 3.3M2010: 3.8M2011: 4.1M2012: 4.4M2013: 4.4M2014: 4.7M2015: 4.8M2016: 4.3M2017: 4.1M2018: 3.6M2019: 3.4M2020: 3.2M2021: 3.1M2022: 3.3M

Source: Statizoid (derived).

Analysis

In 2022, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Iran stood at 3.34 million.

That represents a change of up 8.8% on the previous year and down 24.1% over ten years.

Over the whole period, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Iran peaked at 4.80 million in 2015 and was at its lowest, 74,708, in 1971.

Iran ranks 14th of 200 countries on this measure, 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 (number) in Iran, year by year

Annual values for Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number), gaps filled in Iran, 1971 to 2022.
Year Value Change
1971 74,708
1972 97,338 +30.3%
1973 115,311 +18.5%
1974 123,114 +6.8%
1975 135,354 +9.9%
1976 151,905 +12.2%
1977 154,215 +1.5%
1978 155,811 +1.0%
1995 909,476 +483.7%
1996 1.05 million +15.2%
1997 1.13 million +8.3%
1998 1.22 million +7.6%
1999 1.31 million +7.1%
2000 1.40 million +7.4%
2001 1.57 million +11.7%
2002 1.57 million -0.2%
2003 1.71 million +9.4%
2004 1.95 million +14.0%
2005 2.13 million +8.8%
2006 2.40 million +12.8%
2007 2.83 million +17.9%
2008 3.39 million +19.9%
2009 3.35 million -1.2%
2010 3.79 million +13.2%
2011 4.12 million +8.6%
2012 4.40 million +7.0%
2013 4.37 million -0.8%
2014 4.69 million +7.3%
2015 4.80 million +2.5%
2016 4.35 million -9.5%
2017 4.07 million -6.3%
2018 3.62 million -11.2%
2019 3.37 million -6.7%
2020 3.18 million -5.6%
2021 3.07 million -3.5%
2022 3.34 million +8.8%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1970s 125,970 74,708 155,811 8
1990s 1.12 million 909,476 1.31 million 5
2000s 2.23 million 1.40 million 3.39 million 10
2010s 4.16 million 3.37 million 4.80 million 10
2020s 3.20 million 3.07 million 3.34 million 3

Countries ranked near Iran

  1. 11 Japan 3.88 million compare
  2. 12 Egypt 3.87 million compare
  3. 13 Argentina 3.74 million compare
  4. 15 Germany 3.27 million compare
  5. 16 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 3.20 million compare
  6. 17 France 2.88 million compare

See the full ranking of 421 places →

More education data for Iran

All data for Iran →

Frequently asked questions

What is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Iran?
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Iran was 3.34 million in 2022, according to Statizoid (derived).
What is the highest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) recorded in Iran?
The highest recorded value was 4.80 million in 2015.
What is the lowest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) recorded in Iran?
The lowest recorded value was 74,708 in 1971.
How does Iran rank for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number)?
Iran ranks 14th out of 200 countries with data for 2022.
Is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) rising or falling in Iran?
Over the last ten years it is down 24.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Iran data come from?
The figures come from Statizoid (derived), published as part of Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number), gaps filled. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Iran. Statizoid, drawing on Statizoid (derived). Retrieved 30 August 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/stat/enrolment-in-tertiary-education-all-programmes-both-sexes-number-gaps-filled/iran-islamic-rep/

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How this figure is calculated

Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) with 690 missing years estimated by linear interpolation between the nearest real observations. Only gaps of 4 years or fewer are filled, and never beyond the first or last actual measurement — these are filled holes, not forecasts.

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), gaps filled
Source
Statizoid (derived)
Licence
Derived by Statizoid from the sources named on the page
Coverage
421 places, 19,011 data points, 1970–2025
Last refreshed

Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) with 690 missing years estimated by linear interpolation between the nearest real observations. Only gaps of 4 years or fewer are filled, and never beyond the first or last actual measurement — these are filled holes, not forecasts.