Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) in Nepal
Nepal: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) was 438,177 number in 2019. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2019)
438,177 number
Change on year
up 8.3%
World rank
52nd
of 193 countries
All-time high
477,077 number
in 2013
All-time low
19,482 number
in 1976
Years of data
41
1974–2019
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Nepal, 1974–2019
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in number.
Analysis
In 2019, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Nepal stood at 438,177 number.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 8.3% on the previous year and up 51.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Nepal peaked at 477,077 number in 2013 and was at its lowest, 19,482 number, in 1976.
That places Nepal 52nd out of 193 countries with data for 2019, putting it 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 Nepal, year by year
| Year | number | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1974 | 21,760 number | — |
| 1975 | 23,504 number | +8.0% |
| 1976 | 19,482 number | -17.1% |
| 1977 | 25,398 number | +30.4% |
| 1978 | 31,942 number | +25.8% |
| 1979 | 38,539 number | +20.7% |
| 1981 | 51,356 number | +33.3% |
| 1982 | 52,070 number | +1.4% |
| 1983 | 48,229 number | -7.4% |
| 1984 | 55,555 number | +15.2% |
| 1985 | 54,452 number | -2.0% |
| 1986 | 78,490 number | +44.1% |
| 1987 | 83,356 number | +6.2% |
| 1988 | 95,240 number | +14.3% |
| 1989 | 102,130 number | +7.2% |
| 1990 | 93,753 number | -8.2% |
| 1991 | 110,239 number | +17.6% |
| 1992 | 103,840 number | -5.8% |
| 1993 | 102,882 number | -0.9% |
| 1994 | 98,731 number | -4.0% |
| 1995 | 93,176 number | -5.6% |
| 1996 | 105,694 number | +13.4% |
| 2000 | 94,401 number | -10.7% |
| 2001 | 103,290 number | +9.4% |
| 2002 | 119,670 number | +15.9% |
| 2003 | 124,817 number | +4.3% |
| 2004 | 147,123 number | +17.9% |
| 2005 | 187,165 number | +27.2% |
| 2006 | 202,076 number | +8.0% |
| 2007 | 254,792 number | +26.1% |
| 2008 | 284,973 number | +11.8% |
| 2009 | 289,262 number | +1.5% |
| 2010 | 376,869 number | +30.3% |
| 2011 | 385,454 number | +2.3% |
| 2013 | 477,077 number | +23.8% |
| 2014 | 458,621 number | -3.9% |
| 2015 | 445,324 number | -2.9% |
| 2016 | 361,077 number | -18.9% |
| 2017 | 371,184 number | +2.8% |
| 2018 | 404,718 number | +9.0% |
| 2019 | 438,177 number | +8.3% |
Nepal compared with similar countries
- Nepal's 438,177 number is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 217,880 number, 2.0× the median. (43 countries reporting)
- Nepal's 438,177 number is above the median for South Asia, which is 382,022 number, 1.1× the median. (6 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 26,771 number | 19,482 number | 38,539 number | 6 |
| 1980s | 68,986 number | 48,229 number | 102,130 number | 9 |
| 1990s | 101,188 number | 93,176 number | 110,239 number | 7 |
| 2000s | 180,757 number | 94,401 number | 289,262 number | 10 |
| 2010s | 413,167 number | 361,077 number | 477,077 number | 9 |
Countries ranked near Nepal
More education data for Nepal
- Gender gap education levels, gaps filled 98.55 (2025)
- Primary enrollment selected countries, gaps filled 99.24 (2025)
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 124,257 (2025)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 263,796 (2025)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 752,326 (2025)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 609,324 (2025)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 3.67 million (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 3.57 million (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 1.31 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Nepal?
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in Nepal was 438,177 number in 2019, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in Nepal?
- The highest recorded value was 477,077 number in 2013.
- What is the lowest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in Nepal?
- The lowest recorded value was 19,482 number in 1976.
- How does Nepal rank for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes?
- Nepal ranks 52nd out of 193 countries with data for 2019.
- Is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes rising or falling in Nepal?
- Over the last ten years it is up 51.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Nepal 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.