Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in New Zealand
New Zealand: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes was 267,796 number in 2018. ◆ Volatile
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in New Zealand, 1970–2018
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in number.
Analysis
The most recent figure for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in New Zealand is 267,796 number, measured in 2018.
That represents a change of down 0.3% on the previous year and up 4.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in New Zealand peaked at 271,451 number in 2016 and was at its lowest, 39,816 number, in 1970.
That places New Zealand 74th out of 193 countries with data for 2018, 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 in New Zealand, year by year
| Year | number | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 39,816 number | — |
| 1971 | 42,243 number | +6.1% |
| 1972 | 62,800 number | +48.7% |
| 1973 | 64,926 number | +3.4% |
| 1974 | 66,739 number | +2.8% |
| 1975 | 66,178 number | -0.8% |
| 1976 | 68,758 number | +3.9% |
| 1977 | 69,708 number | +1.4% |
| 1978 | 74,473 number | +6.8% |
| 1979 | 74,232 number | -0.3% |
| 1980 | 76,643 number | +3.2% |
| 1981 | 80,715 number | +5.3% |
| 1982 | 82,666 number | +2.4% |
| 1983 | 84,764 number | +2.5% |
| 1984 | 95,754 number | +13.0% |
| 1985 | 95,793 number | +0.0% |
| 1986 | 102,684 number | +7.2% |
| 1987 | 105,598 number | +2.8% |
| 1988 | 114,195 number | +8.1% |
| 1989 | 120,821 number | +5.8% |
| 1990 | 111,504 number | -7.7% |
| 1991 | 128,078 number | +14.9% |
| 1992 | 146,215 number | +14.2% |
| 1993 | 162,932 number | +11.4% |
| 1994 | 169,421 number | +4.0% |
| 1995 | 163,923 number | -3.2% |
| 1996 | 162,350 number | -1.0% |
| 2013 | 256,608 number | +58.1% |
| 2014 | 260,847 number | +1.7% |
| 2015 | 270,074 number | +3.5% |
| 2016 | 271,451 number | +0.5% |
| 2017 | 268,646 number | -1.0% |
| 2018 | 267,796 number | -0.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 62,987 number | 39,816 number | 74,473 number | 10 |
| 1980s | 95,963 number | 76,643 number | 120,821 number | 10 |
| 1990s | 149,203 number | 111,504 number | 169,421 number | 7 |
| 2010s | 265,904 number | 256,608 number | 271,451 number | 6 |
Countries ranked near New Zealand
More education data for New Zealand
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 53,804 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 562,417 (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 383,018 (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 1.15 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0724 units per person (2024)
- Secondary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 383,018 (2024)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), annual growth 1.15 % change on previous year (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in New Zealand?
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in New Zealand was 267,796 number in 2018, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in New Zealand?
- The highest recorded value was 271,451 number in 2016.
- What is the lowest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in New Zealand?
- The lowest recorded value was 39,816 number in 1970.
- How does New Zealand rank for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes?
- New Zealand ranks 74th out of 193 countries with data for 2018.
- Is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes rising or falling in New Zealand?
- Over the last ten years it is up 4.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this New Zealand 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.