Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in IBRD only
IBRD only: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) was 159.26 million number in 2019. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2019)
159.26 million number
Change on year
up 1.8%
Rank
5th
of 45 groups
All-time high
159.26 million number
in 2019
All-time low
14.60 million number
in 1970
Years of data
50
1970–2019
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in IBRD only, 1970–2019
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in number.
Analysis
In 2019, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in IBRD only stood at 159.26 million number. That is the highest value across all 50 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.8% on the previous year and up 42.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in IBRD only peaked at 159.26 million number in 2019 and was at its lowest, 14.60 million number, in 1970.
That places IBRD only 5th out of 45 groups with data for 2019, putting it 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 IBRD only, year by year
| Year | number | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 14.60 million number | — |
| 1971 | 15.40 million number | +5.5% |
| 1972 | 16.17 million number | +5.0% |
| 1973 | 16.98 million number | +5.0% |
| 1974 | 17.94 million number | +5.7% |
| 1975 | 18.99 million number | +5.9% |
| 1976 | 19.75 million number | +4.0% |
| 1977 | 20.36 million number | +3.1% |
| 1978 | 21.24 million number | +4.3% |
| 1979 | 22.27 million number | +4.8% |
| 1980 | 23.19 million number | +4.2% |
| 1981 | 24.55 million number | +5.9% |
| 1982 | 25.52 million number | +3.9% |
| 1983 | 26.77 million number | +4.9% |
| 1984 | 28.84 million number | +7.7% |
| 1985 | 30.00 million number | +4.0% |
| 1986 | 30.49 million number | +1.6% |
| 1987 | 31.49 million number | +3.3% |
| 1988 | 31.30 million number | -0.6% |
| 1989 | 32.12 million number | +2.6% |
| 1990 | 32.82 million number | +2.2% |
| 1991 | 33.54 million number | +2.2% |
| 1992 | 33.82 million number | +0.8% |
| 1993 | 34.35 million number | +1.6% |
| 1994 | 36.19 million number | +5.4% |
| 1995 | 38.81 million number | +7.2% |
| 1996 | 41.08 million number | +5.8% |
| 1997 | 44.62 million number | +8.6% |
| 1998 | 47.50 million number | +6.4% |
| 1999 | 51.89 million number | +9.2% |
| 2000 | 56.38 million number | +8.7% |
| 2001 | 61.72 million number | +9.5% |
| 2002 | 68.27 million number | +10.6% |
| 2003 | 74.92 million number | +9.7% |
| 2004 | 80.58 million number | +7.6% |
| 2005 | 85.84 million number | +6.5% |
| 2006 | 92.17 million number | +7.4% |
| 2007 | 99.15 million number | +7.6% |
| 2008 | 106.37 million number | +7.3% |
| 2009 | 112.01 million number | +5.3% |
| 2010 | 118.40 million number | +5.7% |
| 2011 | 126.19 million number | +6.6% |
| 2012 | 131.36 million number | +4.1% |
| 2013 | 133.99 million number | +2.0% |
| 2014 | 145.85 million number | +8.9% |
| 2015 | 150.23 million number | +3.0% |
| 2016 | 152.56 million number | +1.6% |
| 2017 | 154.62 million number | +1.3% |
| 2018 | 156.46 million number | +1.2% |
| 2019 | 159.26 million number | +1.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 18.37 million number | 14.60 million number | 22.27 million number | 10 |
| 1980s | 28.43 million number | 23.19 million number | 32.12 million number | 10 |
| 1990s | 39.46 million number | 32.82 million number | 51.89 million number | 10 |
| 2000s | 83.74 million number | 56.38 million number | 112.01 million number | 10 |
| 2010s | 142.89 million number | 118.40 million number | 159.26 million number | 10 |
Countries ranked near IBRD only
More education data for IBRD only
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 425.77 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0891 units per person (2024)
- Secondary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 1.94 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 443.80 million (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 15-64 68.1% (2025)
- Primary education, teachers, gaps filled 21.35 million (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, per capita 0.0855 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in IBRD only?
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in IBRD only was 159.26 million number in 2019, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in IBRD only?
- The highest recorded value was 159.26 million number in 2019.
- What is the lowest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in IBRD only?
- The lowest recorded value was 14.60 million number in 1970.
- How does IBRD only rank for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes?
- IBRD only ranks 5th out of 45 groups with data for 2019.
- Is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes rising or falling in IBRD only?
- Over the last ten years it is up 42.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this IBRD only data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The total number of students enrolled at public and private tertiary education institutions.