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

Ireland: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) was 247,231 in 2022. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2022)
247,231
Change on year
down 0.9%
World rank
89th
of 200 countries
All-time high
249,569
in 2021
All-time low
28,501
in 1971
Years of data
52
1971–2022

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

50.0k100.0k150.0k200.0k250.0k197119962022

Source: Statizoid (derived).

Analysis

Ireland recorded 247,231 for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in 2022.

The figure is down 0.9% on the previous year and up 28.3% over ten years.

Over the whole period, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Ireland peaked at 249,569 in 2021 and was at its lowest, 28,501, in 1971.

Ireland ranks 89th of 200 countries on this measure, 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 Ireland, year by year

Annual values for Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number), gaps filled in Ireland, 1971 to 2022.
Year Value Change
1971 28,501
1972 29,517 +3.6%
1973 30,020 +1.7%
1974 31,737 +5.7%
1975 37,897 +19.4%
1976 46,174 +21.8%
1977 46,515 +0.7%
1978 46,603 +0.2%
1979 47,254 +1.4%
1980 49,313 +4.4%
1981 54,746 +11.0%
1982 59,824 +9.3%
1983 64,116 +7.2%
1984 64,561 +0.7%
1985 67,378 +4.4%
1986 70,301 +4.3%
1987 73,450 +4.5%
1988 76,936 +4.7%
1989 81,133 +5.5%
1990 85,138 +4.9%
1991 90,296 +6.1%
1992 101,108 +12.0%
1993 108,394 +7.2%
1994 117,641 +8.5%
1995 121,401 +3.2%
1996 128,284 +5.7%
1997 134,566 +4.9%
1998 142,774 +6.1%
1999 151,137 +5.9%
2000 160,611 +6.3%
2001 166,600 +3.7%
2002 176,296 +5.8%
2003 181,557 +3.0%
2004 188,315 +3.7%
2005 186,561 -0.9%
2006 186,044 -0.3%
2007 190,349 +2.3%
2008 178,518 -6.2%
2009 182,609 +2.3%
2010 194,009 +6.2%
2011 196,321 +1.2%
2012 192,647 -1.9%
2013 199,428 +3.5%
2014 203,912 +2.2%
2015 214,632 +5.3%
2016 218,411 +1.8%
2017 225,031 +3.0%
2018 231,201 +2.7%
2019 232,512 +0.6%
2020 236,697 +1.8%
2021 249,569 +5.4%
2022 247,231 -0.9%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1970s 38,246 28,501 47,254 9
1980s 66,176 49,313 81,133 10
1990s 118,074 85,138 151,137 10
2000s 179,746 160,611 190,349 10
2010s 210,810 192,647 232,512 10
2020s 244,499 236,697 249,569 3

Countries ranked near Ireland

  1. 86 New Zealand 251,357 compare
  2. 87 Serbia 249,768 compare
  3. 88 Honduras 247,706 compare
  4. 90 Burkina Faso 225,902 compare
  5. 91 Paraguay 225,211 compare
  6. 92 Palestine, State of 223,977 compare

See the full ranking of 421 places →

More education data for Ireland

All data for Ireland →

Frequently asked questions

What is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Ireland?
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Ireland was 247,231 in 2022, according to Statizoid (derived).
What is the highest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) recorded in Ireland?
The highest recorded value was 249,569 in 2021.
What is the lowest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) recorded in Ireland?
The lowest recorded value was 28,501 in 1971.
How does Ireland rank for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number)?
Ireland ranks 89th out of 200 countries with data for 2022.
Is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) rising or falling in Ireland?
Over the last ten years it is up 28.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Ireland 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 Ireland. 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/ireland/

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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.