Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Ireland
Ireland: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) was 231,201 number in 2018. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2018)
231,201 number
Change on year
up 2.7%
World rank
83rd
of 193 countries
All-time high
231,201 number
in 2018
All-time low
28,501 number
in 1971
Years of data
48
1971–2018
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Ireland, 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 Ireland is 231,201 number, measured in 2018. That is the highest value across all 48 years on record.
The figure is up 2.7% on the previous year and up 29.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Ireland peaked at 231,201 number in 2018 and was at its lowest, 28,501 number, in 1971.
Ireland ranks 83rd of 193 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
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 Ireland, year by year
| Year | number | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 28,501 number | — |
| 1972 | 29,517 number | +3.6% |
| 1973 | 30,020 number | +1.7% |
| 1974 | 31,737 number | +5.7% |
| 1975 | 37,897 number | +19.4% |
| 1976 | 46,174 number | +21.8% |
| 1977 | 46,515 number | +0.7% |
| 1978 | 46,603 number | +0.2% |
| 1979 | 47,254 number | +1.4% |
| 1980 | 49,313 number | +4.4% |
| 1981 | 54,746 number | +11.0% |
| 1982 | 59,824 number | +9.3% |
| 1983 | 64,116 number | +7.2% |
| 1984 | 64,561 number | +0.7% |
| 1985 | 67,378 number | +4.4% |
| 1986 | 70,301 number | +4.3% |
| 1987 | 73,450 number | +4.5% |
| 1988 | 76,936 number | +4.7% |
| 1989 | 81,133 number | +5.5% |
| 1990 | 85,138 number | +4.9% |
| 1991 | 90,296 number | +6.1% |
| 1992 | 101,108 number | +12.0% |
| 1993 | 108,394 number | +7.2% |
| 1994 | 117,641 number | +8.5% |
| 1995 | 121,401 number | +3.2% |
| 1996 | 128,284 number | +5.7% |
| 1997 | 134,566 number | +4.9% |
| 1998 | 142,774 number | +6.1% |
| 1999 | 151,137 number | +5.9% |
| 2000 | 160,611 number | +6.3% |
| 2001 | 166,600 number | +3.7% |
| 2002 | 176,296 number | +5.8% |
| 2003 | 181,557 number | +3.0% |
| 2004 | 188,315 number | +3.7% |
| 2005 | 186,561 number | -0.9% |
| 2006 | 186,044 number | -0.3% |
| 2007 | 190,349 number | +2.3% |
| 2008 | 178,518 number | -6.2% |
| 2009 | 182,609 number | +2.3% |
| 2010 | 194,009 number | +6.2% |
| 2011 | 196,321 number | +1.2% |
| 2012 | 192,647 number | -1.9% |
| 2013 | 199,428 number | +3.5% |
| 2014 | 203,912 number | +2.2% |
| 2015 | 214,632 number | +5.3% |
| 2016 | 218,411 number | +1.8% |
| 2017 | 225,031 number | +3.0% |
| 2018 | 231,201 number | +2.7% |
Ireland compared with similar countries
- Ireland's 231,201 number is above the median for high income countries, which is 164,826 number, 1.4× the median. (73 countries reporting)
- Ireland's 231,201 number is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 257,598 number, 90% of the median. (52 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 38,246 number | 28,501 number | 47,254 number | 9 |
| 1980s | 66,176 number | 49,313 number | 81,133 number | 10 |
| 1990s | 118,074 number | 85,138 number | 151,137 number | 10 |
| 2000s | 179,746 number | 160,611 number | 190,349 number | 10 |
| 2010s | 208,399 number | 192,647 number | 231,201 number | 9 |
Countries ranked near Ireland
More education data for Ireland
- Gender gap education levels, gaps filled 99.47 (2022)
- Primary enrollment selected countries, gaps filled 98.19 (2022)
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 32,531 (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 1,942 (2022)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 52,745 (2022)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 49,975 (2022)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 456,625 (2022)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 548,873 (2022)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -1.49 % change on previous year (2022)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Ireland?
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Ireland was 231,201 number in 2018, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in Ireland?
- The highest recorded value was 231,201 number in 2018.
- What is the lowest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in Ireland?
- The lowest recorded value was 28,501 number in 1971.
- How does Ireland rank for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes?
- Ireland ranks 83rd out of 193 countries with data for 2018.
- Is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes rising or falling in Ireland?
- Over the last ten years it is up 29.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Ireland 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.