Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Iran
Iran: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) was 3.62 million number in 2018. ◆ Volatile
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Iran, 1971–2018
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in number.
Analysis
The most recent figure for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Iran is 3.62 million number, measured in 2018.
The figure is down 11.2% on the previous year and up 6.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Iran peaked at 4.69 million number in 2014 and was at its lowest, 74,708 number, in 1971.
That places Iran 11th out of 193 countries with data for 2018, 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 Iran, year by year
| Year | number | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 74,708 number | — |
| 1972 | 97,338 number | +30.3% |
| 1973 | 115,311 number | +18.5% |
| 1974 | 123,114 number | +6.8% |
| 1975 | 135,354 number | +9.9% |
| 1976 | 151,905 number | +12.2% |
| 1977 | 154,215 number | +1.5% |
| 1978 | 155,811 number | +1.0% |
| 1995 | 909,476 number | +483.7% |
| 1996 | 1.05 million number | +15.2% |
| 1999 | 1.31 million number | +24.8% |
| 2000 | 1.40 million number | +7.4% |
| 2001 | 1.57 million number | +11.7% |
| 2002 | 1.57 million number | -0.2% |
| 2003 | 1.71 million number | +9.4% |
| 2004 | 1.95 million number | +14.0% |
| 2005 | 2.13 million number | +8.8% |
| 2006 | 2.40 million number | +12.8% |
| 2007 | 2.83 million number | +17.9% |
| 2008 | 3.39 million number | +19.9% |
| 2009 | 3.35 million number | -1.2% |
| 2010 | 3.79 million number | +13.2% |
| 2011 | 4.12 million number | +8.6% |
| 2012 | 4.40 million number | +7.0% |
| 2013 | 4.37 million number | -0.8% |
| 2014 | 4.69 million number | +7.3% |
| 2016 | 4.35 million number | -7.2% |
| 2017 | 4.07 million number | -6.3% |
| 2018 | 3.62 million number | -11.2% |
Iran compared with similar countries
- Iran's 3.62 million number is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 225,211 number, 16.1× the median. (55 countries reporting)
- Iran's 3.62 million number is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 320,896 number, 11.3× the median. (23 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Iran changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | +483.7% | 155,811 number | 909,476 number |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 125,970 number | 74,708 number | 155,811 number | 8 |
| 1990s | 1.09 million number | 909,476 number | 1.31 million number | 3 |
| 2000s | 2.23 million number | 1.40 million number | 3.39 million number | 10 |
| 2010s | 4.18 million number | 3.62 million number | 4.69 million number | 8 |
Countries ranked near Iran
More education data for Iran
- Gender gap education levels, gaps filled 98.5 (2020)
- Primary enrollment selected countries, gaps filled 99.9 (2023)
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 406,399 (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 108,066 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 519,698 (2020)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 505,053 (2020)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 6.62 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 9.09 million (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 3.31 % change on previous year (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Iran?
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Iran was 3.62 million number in 2018, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in Iran?
- The highest recorded value was 4.69 million number in 2014.
- What is the lowest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in Iran?
- The lowest recorded value was 74,708 number in 1971.
- How does Iran rank for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes?
- Iran ranks 11th out of 193 countries with data for 2018.
- Is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes rising or falling in Iran?
- Over the last ten years it is up 6.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Iran 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.