Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Malaysia
Malaysia: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes was 1.22 million number in 2019. ◆ Volatile
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Malaysia, 1979–2019
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in number.
Analysis
The most recent figure for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Malaysia is 1.22 million number, measured in 2019.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 5.2% on the previous year and up 21.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Malaysia peaked at 1.34 million number in 2016 and was at its lowest, 52,975 number, in 1979.
That places Malaysia 35th out of 193 countries with data for 2019, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Malaysia, year by year
| Year | number | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | 52,975 number | — |
| 1980 | 57,650 number | +8.8% |
| 1982 | 67,368 number | +16.9% |
| 1983 | 68,687 number | +2.0% |
| 1984 | 77,750 number | +13.2% |
| 1985 | 93,249 number | +19.9% |
| 1986 | 109,545 number | +17.5% |
| 1987 | 119,591 number | +9.2% |
| 1988 | 120,714 number | +0.9% |
| 1989 | 109,345 number | -9.4% |
| 1990 | 121,412 number | +11.0% |
| 1991 | 137,826 number | +13.5% |
| 1992 | 160,566 number | +16.5% |
| 1993 | 170,145 number | +6.0% |
| 1994 | 191,290 number | +12.4% |
| 1995 | 210,724 number | +10.2% |
| 1998 | 442,625 number | +110.0% |
| 1999 | 473,357 number | +6.9% |
| 2000 | 549,205 number | +16.0% |
| 2001 | 557,118 number | +1.4% |
| 2002 | 632,309 number | +13.5% |
| 2003 | 725,865 number | +14.8% |
| 2004 | 731,077 number | +0.7% |
| 2005 | 696,760 number | -4.7% |
| 2006 | 737,267 number | +5.8% |
| 2007 | 805,136 number | +9.2% |
| 2008 | 922,239 number | +14.5% |
| 2009 | 1.00 million number | +8.5% |
| 2010 | 1.06 million number | +6.1% |
| 2011 | 1.04 million number | -2.4% |
| 2012 | 1.08 million number | +3.9% |
| 2013 | 1.12 million number | +3.7% |
| 2014 | 1.13 million number | +1.0% |
| 2015 | 1.30 million number | +15.4% |
| 2016 | 1.34 million number | +2.6% |
| 2017 | 1.25 million number | -6.6% |
| 2018 | 1.28 million number | +2.9% |
| 2019 | 1.22 million number | -5.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 52,975 number | 52,975 number | 52,975 number | 1 |
| 1980s | 91,544 number | 57,650 number | 120,714 number | 9 |
| 1990s | 238,493 number | 121,412 number | 473,357 number | 8 |
| 2000s | 735,767 number | 549,205 number | 1.00 million number | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.18 million number | 1.04 million number | 1.34 million number | 10 |
Countries ranked near Malaysia
More education data for Malaysia
- Primary education, teachers, gaps filled 273,792 (2024)
- Duration of pre primary education, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Duration of pre primary education 2 (2025)
- Official entrance age to pre primary education 4 (2025)
- Population ages 15-64 70.7% (2025)
- Population ages 0-14 21.3% (2025)
- Lower secondary school starting age 12 years (2025)
- Primary school starting age 6 years (2025)
- Primary secondary enrollment completion rates, gaps filled 90.36 (2024)
- School enrollment, primary 90.4% (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Malaysia?
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Malaysia was 1.22 million number in 2019, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in Malaysia?
- The highest recorded value was 1.34 million number in 2016.
- What is the lowest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in Malaysia?
- The lowest recorded value was 52,975 number in 1979.
- How does Malaysia rank for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes?
- Malaysia ranks 35th out of 193 countries with data for 2019.
- Is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes rising or falling in Malaysia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 21.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malaysia 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.