Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, female (number) in New Zealand
New Zealand: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, female (number) was 151,526 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, female in New Zealand, 1970–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
The most recent figure for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, female in New Zealand is 151,526, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of up 2.0% on the previous year and up 1.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, female in New Zealand peaked at 155,353 in 2018 and was at its lowest, 15,608, in 1970.
New Zealand ranks 80th of 195 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, female (number) in New Zealand, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 15,608 | — |
| 1971 | 17,112 | +9.6% |
| 1972 | 20,812 | +21.6% |
| 1973 | 21,532 | +3.5% |
| 1974 | 24,642 | +14.4% |
| 1975 | 24,146 | -2.0% |
| 1976 | 25,338 | +4.9% |
| 1979 | 29,282 | +15.6% |
| 1980 | 31,101 | +6.2% |
| 1981 | 33,492 | +7.7% |
| 1982 | 33,930 | +1.3% |
| 1983 | 35,231 | +3.8% |
| 1984 | 42,571 | +20.8% |
| 1985 | 43,797 | +2.9% |
| 1986 | 48,383 | +10.5% |
| 1987 | 50,670 | +4.7% |
| 1988 | 55,786 | +10.1% |
| 1989 | 60,761 | +8.9% |
| 1990 | 57,804 | -4.9% |
| 1991 | 67,652 | +17.0% |
| 1992 | 78,639 | +16.2% |
| 1993 | 88,356 | +12.4% |
| 1994 | 93,725 | +6.1% |
| 1995 | 90,895 | -3.0% |
| 1996 | 90,885 | -0.0% |
| 2013 | 149,041 | +64.0% |
| 2014 | 149,047 | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 152,672 | +2.4% |
| 2016 | 154,126 | +1.0% |
| 2017 | 153,899 | -0.1% |
| 2018 | 155,353 | +0.9% |
| 2019 | 151,132 | -2.7% |
| 2020 | 148,869 | -1.5% |
| 2021 | 155,149 | +4.2% |
| 2022 | 149,713 | -3.5% |
| 2023 | 148,560 | -0.8% |
| 2024 | 151,526 | +2.0% |
New Zealand compared with similar countries
- New Zealand's 151,526 is above the median for high income countries, which is 97,133, 1.6× the median. (74 countries reporting)
- New Zealand's 151,526 is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 95,251, 1.6× the median. (28 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, female (number) in New Zealand 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | +64.0% | 90,885 | 149,041 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 22,309 | 15,608 | 29,282 | 8 |
| 1980s | 43,572 | 31,101 | 60,761 | 10 |
| 1990s | 81,137 | 57,804 | 93,725 | 7 |
| 2010s | 152,181 | 149,041 | 155,353 | 7 |
| 2020s | 150,763 | 148,560 | 155,149 | 5 |
Countries ranked near New Zealand
More education data for New Zealand
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 36,426 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 12,020 (1992)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 56,552 (2024)
- 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)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, female in New Zealand?
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, female in New Zealand was 151,526 in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, female recorded in New Zealand?
- The highest recorded value was 155,353 in 2018.
- What is the lowest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, female recorded in New Zealand?
- The lowest recorded value was 15,608 in 1970.
- How does New Zealand rank for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, female?
- New Zealand ranks 80th out of 195 countries with data for 2024.
- Is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, female rising or falling in New Zealand?
- Over the last ten years it is up 1.7%. 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, female (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release