Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes … gaps filled both in Ireland
Ireland: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes … gaps filled both was 247,231 in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Ireland, 1971–2022
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 … gaps filled both in Ireland, year by year
| 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% |
Ireland compared with similar countries
- Ireland's 247,231 is above the median for high income countries, which is 158,952, 1.6× the median. (76 countries reporting)
- Ireland's 247,231 is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 294,128, 84% of the median. (52 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | 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
More education data for Ireland
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 32,531 (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 1,942 (2022)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 52,745 (2022)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 49,975 (2022)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 456,625 (2022)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 548,873 (2022)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -1.49 % change on previous year (2022)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2022)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.1053 units per person (2022)
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.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 52 observations, free to reuse under Derived by Statizoid from the sources named on the page.
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
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes UNESCO Institute for Statistics
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
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.