Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Iceland
Iceland: Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes was 76.5% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
76.5%
Change on year
down 10.0%
World rank
40th
of 194 countries
All-time high
86.5%
in 2021
All-time low
9.8%
in 1971
Years of data
52
1971–2023
Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Iceland, 1971–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Iceland is 76.5%, measured in 2023.
The figure is down 10.0% on the previous year and down 2.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Iceland peaked at 86.5% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 9.8%, in 1971.
Iceland ranks 40th 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 Iceland, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 9.8% | — |
| 1972 | 11.0% | +11.6% |
| 1973 | 12.3% | +12.0% |
| 1974 | 12.8% | +4.5% |
| 1975 | 13.9% | +7.9% |
| 1976 | 15.0% | +7.9% |
| 1977 | 15.3% | +2.3% |
| 1978 | 15.7% | +2.7% |
| 1980 | 19.6% | +24.5% |
| 1981 | 20.3% | +3.7% |
| 1982 | 21.4% | +5.3% |
| 1983 | 23.0% | +7.9% |
| 1984 | 23.4% | +1.6% |
| 1985 | 20.9% | -10.8% |
| 1986 | 21.4% | +2.5% |
| 1987 | 21.4% | -0.0% |
| 1988 | 21.3% | -0.4% |
| 1989 | 22.7% | +6.5% |
| 1990 | 25.3% | +11.5% |
| 1991 | 25.4% | +0.2% |
| 1992 | 30.1% | +18.6% |
| 1993 | 27.5% | -8.6% |
| 1994 | 33.7% | +22.5% |
| 1995 | 35.5% | +5.4% |
| 1996 | 35.7% | +0.6% |
| 1997 | 37.5% | +4.9% |
| 1998 | 39.2% | +4.6% |
| 1999 | 41.3% | +5.3% |
| 2000 | 45.9% | +11.2% |
| 2001 | 46.9% | +2.2% |
| 2002 | 52.6% | +12.1% |
| 2003 | 60.0% | +14.1% |
| 2004 | 66.6% | +10.9% |
| 2005 | 69.8% | +4.9% |
| 2006 | 73.0% | +4.5% |
| 2007 | 73.1% | +0.2% |
| 2008 | 73.6% | +0.6% |
| 2009 | 72.5% | -1.5% |
| 2010 | 78.5% | +8.3% |
| 2011 | 79.9% | +1.8% |
| 2012 | 79.6% | -0.4% |
| 2013 | 78.4% | -1.5% |
| 2014 | 80.4% | +2.6% |
| 2015 | 75.6% | -5.9% |
| 2016 | 74.7% | -1.2% |
| 2017 | 71.3% | -4.5% |
| 2018 | 69.3% | -2.8% |
| 2019 | 70.6% | +1.8% |
| 2020 | 74.6% | +5.6% |
| 2021 | 86.5% | +16.0% |
| 2022 | 85.0% | -1.8% |
| 2023 | 76.5% | -10.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 13.2% | 9.8% | 15.7% | 8 |
| 1980s | 21.5% | 19.6% | 23.4% | 10 |
| 1990s | 33.1% | 25.3% | 41.3% | 10 |
| 2000s | 63.4% | 45.9% | 73.6% | 10 |
| 2010s | 75.8% | 69.3% | 80.4% | 10 |
| 2020s | 80.7% | 74.6% | 86.5% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Iceland
More education data for Iceland
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 0 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 6,661 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 6,167 (2023)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 37,056 (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 32,314 (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -1.17 % change on previous year (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0838 units per person (2023)
- Secondary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Iceland?
- Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Iceland was 76.5% in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes recorded in Iceland?
- The highest recorded value was 86.5% in 2021.
- What is the lowest gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes recorded in Iceland?
- The lowest recorded value was 9.8% in 1971.
- How does Iceland rank for gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes?
- Iceland ranks 40th out of 194 countries with data for 2023.
- Is gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes rising or falling in Iceland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 2.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Iceland 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