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

Pakistan: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) was 2.68 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2024)
2.68 million
Change on year
up 4.5%
World rank
19th
of 200 countries
All-time high
2.98 million
in 2021
All-time low
104,452
in 1972
Years of data
39
1971–2024

Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Pakistan, 1971–2024

01.0M2.0M3.0M1971199720241971: 115.0k1972: 104.5k1973: 107.8k1974: 111.8k1975: 114.9k1976: 127.9k1977: 133.5k1978: 148.5k1979: 153.5k1980: 156.6k1986: 267.7k1987: 271.8k1988: 315.8k1989: 310.4k1990: 304.9k1991: 263.1k1992: 221.3k2003: 401.1k2004: 520.7k2005: 782.6k2006: 820.3k2007: 954.7k2008: 973.8k2009: 1.2M2010: 1.5M2011: 1.6M2012: 1.8M2013: 1.9M2014: 1.9M2015: 1.9M2016: 1.9M2017: 1.9M2018: 1.9M2019: 2.6M2020: 2.8M2021: 3.0M2022: 2.6M2023: 2.6M2024: 2.7M

Source: Statizoid (derived).

Analysis

Pakistan recorded 2.68 million for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in 2024.

That represents a change of up 4.5% on the previous year and up 38.9% over ten years.

Over the whole period, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Pakistan peaked at 2.98 million in 2021 and was at its lowest, 104,452, in 1972.

Pakistan ranks 19th 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 Pakistan, year by year

Annual values for Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number), gaps filled in Pakistan, 1971 to 2024.
Year Value Change
1971 114,980
1972 104,452 -9.2%
1973 107,757 +3.2%
1974 111,826 +3.8%
1975 114,913 +2.8%
1976 127,932 +11.3%
1977 133,465 +4.3%
1978 148,451 +11.2%
1979 153,536 +3.4%
1980 156,558 +2.0%
1986 267,742 +71.0%
1987 271,838 +1.5%
1988 315,793 +16.2%
1989 310,358 -1.7%
1990 304,922 -1.8%
1991 263,118 -13.7%
1992 221,313 -15.9%
2003 401,056 +81.2%
2004 520,666 +29.8%
2005 782,621 +50.3%
2006 820,347 +4.8%
2007 954,698 +16.4%
2008 973,792 +2.0%
2009 1.23 million +25.9%
2010 1.48 million +20.9%
2011 1.57 million +6.1%
2012 1.82 million +15.5%
2013 1.92 million +5.4%
2014 1.93 million +0.9%
2015 1.87 million -3.1%
2016 1.86 million -0.8%
2017 1.94 million +4.6%
2018 1.88 million -3.3%
2019 2.58 million +37.6%
2020 2.77 million +7.3%
2021 2.98 million +7.6%
2022 2.56 million -14.2%
2023 2.57 million +0.3%
2024 2.68 million +4.5%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1970s 124,146 104,452 153,536 9
1980s 264,458 156,558 315,793 5
1990s 263,118 221,313 304,922 3
2000s 811,311 401,056 1.23 million 7
2010s 1.89 million 1.48 million 2.58 million 10
2020s 2.71 million 2.56 million 2.98 million 5

Countries ranked near Pakistan

  1. 16 United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 3.20 million compare
  2. 17 France 2.88 million compare
  3. 18 Republic of Korea 2.73 million compare
  4. 20 Viet Nam 2.49 million compare
  5. 21 Colombia 2.47 million compare
  6. 22 Spain 2.44 million compare

See the full ranking of 421 places →

More education data for Pakistan

All data for Pakistan →

Frequently asked questions

What is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Pakistan?
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Pakistan was 2.68 million in 2024, according to Statizoid (derived).
What is the highest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) recorded in Pakistan?
The highest recorded value was 2.98 million in 2021.
What is the lowest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) recorded in Pakistan?
The lowest recorded value was 104,452 in 1972.
How does Pakistan rank for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number)?
Pakistan ranks 19th out of 200 countries with data for 2024.
Is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) rising or falling in Pakistan?
Over the last ten years it is up 38.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Pakistan 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 Pakistan. 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/pakistan/

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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.