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

Malaysia: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) was 1.17 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2024)
1.17 million
Change on year
up 2.8%
World rank
38th
of 200 countries
All-time high
1.34 million
in 2016
All-time low
52,975
in 1979
Years of data
46
1979–2024

Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Malaysia, 1979–2024

0500.0k1.0M1.5M197920012024

Source: Statizoid (derived).

Analysis

The most recent figure for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Malaysia is 1.17 million, measured in 2024.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 2.8% on the previous year and up 3.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Malaysia peaked at 1.34 million in 2016 and was at its lowest, 52,975, in 1979.

Malaysia ranks 38th of 200 countries on this measure, in the top 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 Malaysia, year by year

Annual values for Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number), gaps filled in Malaysia, 1979 to 2024.
Year Value Change
1979 52,975
1980 57,650 +8.8%
1981 62,509 +8.4%
1982 67,368 +7.8%
1983 68,687 +2.0%
1984 77,750 +13.2%
1985 93,249 +19.9%
1986 109,545 +17.5%
1987 119,591 +9.2%
1988 120,714 +0.9%
1989 109,345 -9.4%
1990 121,412 +11.0%
1991 137,826 +13.5%
1992 160,566 +16.5%
1993 170,145 +6.0%
1994 191,290 +12.4%
1995 210,724 +10.2%
1996 288,024 +36.7%
1997 365,325 +26.8%
1998 442,625 +21.2%
1999 473,357 +6.9%
2000 549,205 +16.0%
2001 557,118 +1.4%
2002 632,309 +13.5%
2003 725,865 +14.8%
2004 731,077 +0.7%
2005 696,760 -4.7%
2006 737,267 +5.8%
2007 805,136 +9.2%
2008 922,239 +14.5%
2009 1.00 million +8.5%
2010 1.06 million +6.1%
2011 1.04 million -2.4%
2012 1.08 million +3.9%
2013 1.12 million +3.7%
2014 1.13 million +1.0%
2015 1.30 million +15.4%
2016 1.34 million +2.6%
2017 1.25 million -6.6%
2018 1.28 million +2.9%
2019 1.22 million -5.2%
2020 1.19 million -2.1%
2021 1.15 million -3.8%
2022 1.12 million -2.4%
2023 1.14 million +1.5%
2024 1.17 million +2.8%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1970s 52,975 52,975 52,975 1
1980s 88,641 57,650 120,714 10
1990s 256,129 121,412 473,357 10
2000s 735,767 549,205 1.00 million 10
2010s 1.18 million 1.04 million 1.34 million 10
2020s 1.15 million 1.12 million 1.19 million 5

Countries ranked near Malaysia

  1. 35 Poland 1.40 million compare
  2. 36 Chile 1.37 million compare
  3. 37 South Africa 1.19 million compare
  4. 39 Ecuador 1.09 million compare
  5. 40 Netherlands 985,327 compare
  6. 41 Myanmar 932,199 compare

See the full ranking of 421 places →

More education data for Malaysia

All data for Malaysia →

Frequently asked questions

What is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Malaysia?
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Malaysia was 1.17 million in 2024, according to Statizoid (derived).
What is the highest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) recorded in Malaysia?
The highest recorded value was 1.34 million in 2016.
What is the lowest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) recorded in Malaysia?
The lowest recorded value was 52,975 in 1979.
How does Malaysia rank for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number)?
Malaysia ranks 38th out of 200 countries with data for 2024.
Is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) rising or falling in Malaysia?
Over the last ten years it is up 3.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Malaysia 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 Malaysia. 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/malaysia/

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<a href="https://education.statizoid.com/stat/enrolment-in-tertiary-education-all-programmes-both-sexes-number-gaps-filled/malaysia/">Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Malaysia</a> — Statizoid

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.