Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in SDG: World
SDG: World: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) was 268.57 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in SDG: World, 1970–2024
Source: Statizoid (derived).
Analysis
In 2024, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in SDG: World stood at 268.57 million. That is the highest value across all 55 years on record.
The figure is up 1.4% on the previous year and up 26.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in SDG: World peaked at 268.57 million in 2024 and was at its lowest, 36.21 million, in 1971.
SDG: World ranks 1st of 221 groups 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 SDG: World, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 71.03 million | — |
| 1971 | 36.21 million | -49.0% |
| 1972 | 44.80 million | +23.7% |
| 1973 | 41.43 million | -7.5% |
| 1974 | 48.82 million | +17.8% |
| 1975 | 49.97 million | +2.4% |
| 1976 | 46.22 million | -7.5% |
| 1977 | 47.49 million | +2.8% |
| 1978 | 48.95 million | +3.1% |
| 1979 | 49.86 million | +1.9% |
| 1980 | 51.46 million | +3.2% |
| 1981 | 53.67 million | +4.3% |
| 1982 | 55.93 million | +4.2% |
| 1983 | 57.28 million | +2.4% |
| 1984 | 65.83 million | +14.9% |
| 1985 | 67.55 million | +2.6% |
| 1986 | 62.83 million | -7.0% |
| 1987 | 65.66 million | +4.5% |
| 1988 | 65.92 million | +0.4% |
| 1989 | 68.54 million | +4.0% |
| 1990 | 69.04 million | +0.7% |
| 1991 | 70.99 million | +2.8% |
| 1992 | 78.18 million | +10.1% |
| 1993 | 80.35 million | +2.8% |
| 1994 | 82.64 million | +2.8% |
| 1995 | 84.94 million | +2.8% |
| 1996 | 84.82 million | -0.1% |
| 1997 | 92.50 million | +9.1% |
| 1998 | 93.47 million | +1.0% |
| 1999 | 98.14 million | +5.0% |
| 2000 | 103.03 million | +5.0% |
| 2001 | 110.69 million | +7.4% |
| 2002 | 119.62 million | +8.1% |
| 2003 | 127.83 million | +6.9% |
| 2004 | 134.86 million | +5.5% |
| 2005 | 141.12 million | +4.6% |
| 2006 | 151.24 million | +7.2% |
| 2007 | 157.20 million | +3.9% |
| 2008 | 165.87 million | +5.5% |
| 2009 | 173.84 million | +4.8% |
| 2010 | 181.99 million | +4.7% |
| 2011 | 191.22 million | +5.1% |
| 2012 | 197.41 million | +3.2% |
| 2013 | 200.70 million | +1.7% |
| 2014 | 213.19 million | +6.2% |
| 2015 | 218.54 million | +2.5% |
| 2016 | 221.35 million | +1.3% |
| 2017 | 223.27 million | +0.9% |
| 2018 | 225.64 million | +1.1% |
| 2019 | 231.59 million | +2.6% |
| 2020 | 238.81 million | +3.1% |
| 2021 | 248.28 million | +4.0% |
| 2022 | 256.26 million | +3.2% |
| 2023 | 264.99 million | +3.4% |
| 2024 | 268.57 million | +1.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 48.48 million | 36.21 million | 71.03 million | 10 |
| 1980s | 61.47 million | 51.46 million | 68.54 million | 10 |
| 1990s | 83.51 million | 69.04 million | 98.14 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 138.53 million | 103.03 million | 173.84 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 210.49 million | 181.99 million | 231.59 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 255.38 million | 238.81 million | 268.57 million | 5 |
Countries ranked near SDG: World
More education data for SDG: World
- Enrolment in secondary education, male (number), gaps filled 337.02 million (2024)
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, male (number) 1.57 % change on previous year (2024)
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, male (number), gaps 129.51 million (2024)
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, female (number) 1.15 % change on previous year (2024)
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, female (number) 139.06 million (2024)
- Teachers in primary education, male (number), gaps filled 10.50 million (2024)
- Teachers in primary education, female (number), gaps filled 23.60 million (2024)
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) 1.35 % change on previous year (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), annual -0.3122 % change on previous year (2024)
- Enrolment in secondary education, male (number), annual growth rate 0.4213 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in SDG: World?
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in SDG: World was 268.57 million in 2024, according to Statizoid (derived).
- What is the highest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) recorded in SDG: World?
- The highest recorded value was 268.57 million in 2024.
- What is the lowest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) recorded in SDG: World?
- The lowest recorded value was 36.21 million in 1971.
- How does SDG: World rank for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number)?
- SDG: World ranks 1st out of 221 groups with data for 2024.
- Is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) rising or falling in SDG: World?
- Over the last ten years it is up 26.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this SDG: World 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 — 55 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.