Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in China
China: Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes was 76.9% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in China, 1970–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2024, gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in China stood at 76.9%. That is the highest value across all 51 years on record.
The figure is up 3.1% on the previous year and up 75.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in China peaked at 76.9% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0.1%, in 1970.
China ranks 38th of 194 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in China, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 0.1% | — |
| 1973 | 0.2% | +60.3% |
| 1974 | 0.3% | +60.0% |
| 1975 | 0.4% | +38.0% |
| 1976 | 0.6% | +22.9% |
| 1977 | 0.6% | +13.0% |
| 1978 | 0.7% | +10.9% |
| 1979 | 1.0% | +45.9% |
| 1980 | 1.3% | +27.0% |
| 1981 | 2.0% | +59.3% |
| 1984 | 1.9% | -6.4% |
| 1985 | 2.2% | +15.0% |
| 1986 | 2.8% | +26.7% |
| 1987 | 3.1% | +9.8% |
| 1988 | 3.1% | +1.1% |
| 1989 | 3.0% | -2.4% |
| 1990 | 3.0% | -0.5% |
| 1991 | 2.9% | -4.0% |
| 1992 | 2.8% | -2.3% |
| 1993 | 2.9% | +4.1% |
| 1994 | 3.8% | +28.5% |
| 1995 | 4.7% | +23.6% |
| 1996 | 5.3% | +13.2% |
| 1997 | 5.8% | +9.9% |
| 1998 | 6.3% | +8.0% |
| 1999 | 6.6% | +5.6% |
| 2000 | 7.6% | +14.6% |
| 2001 | 9.3% | +22.5% |
| 2002 | 11.8% | +27.2% |
| 2003 | 14.5% | +22.9% |
| 2004 | 16.9% | +16.4% |
| 2005 | 18.7% | +10.4% |
| 2006 | 20.6% | +10.2% |
| 2007 | 21.5% | +4.4% |
| 2008 | 21.9% | +1.8% |
| 2009 | 23.3% | +6.5% |
| 2010 | 25.3% | +8.6% |
| 2011 | 26.8% | +5.9% |
| 2012 | 29.3% | +9.4% |
| 2013 | 32.7% | +11.6% |
| 2014 | 43.7% | +33.6% |
| 2015 | 47.1% | +7.8% |
| 2016 | 49.3% | +4.6% |
| 2017 | 51.1% | +3.6% |
| 2018 | 53.4% | +4.6% |
| 2019 | 56.6% | +6.0% |
| 2020 | 61.6% | +8.8% |
| 2021 | 66.8% | +8.4% |
| 2022 | 71.6% | +7.1% |
| 2023 | 74.6% | +4.2% |
| 2024 | 76.9% | +3.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 0.5% | 0.1% | 1.0% | 8 |
| 1980s | 2.4% | 1.3% | 3.1% | 8 |
| 1990s | 4.4% | 2.8% | 6.6% | 10 |
| 2000s | 16.6% | 7.6% | 23.3% | 10 |
| 2010s | 41.5% | 25.3% | 56.6% | 10 |
| 2020s | 70.3% | 61.6% | 76.9% | 5 |
Countries ranked near China
More education data for China
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 7.41 million (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 7,020 (2021)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 21.58 million (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 19.36 million (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 97.98 million (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 108.57 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 0.9587 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0771 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in China?
- Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in China was 76.9% in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 76.9% in 2024.
- What is the lowest gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.1% in 1970.
- How does China rank for gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes?
- China ranks 38th out of 194 countries with data for 2024.
- Is gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is up 75.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release