Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Kuwait

Kuwait: Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes was 51.9% in 2021. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2021)
51.9%
Change on year
down 3.4%
World rank
82nd
of 194 countries
All-time high
59.2%
in 2016
All-time low
3.5%
in 1971
Years of data
39
1971–2021

Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Kuwait, 1971–2021

02040601971199620211971: 3.5 %1972: 4.3 %1973: 4.9 %1974: 5.7 %1975: 5.8 %1976: 7.3 %1977: 8.2 %1978: 9.4 %1979: 8.3 %1980: 8.4 %1981: 8.9 %1982: 9.9 %1983: 11 %1984: 11.4 %1985: 13.1 %1986: 13.8 %1987: 14.6 %1988: 15.3 %1989: 15.4 %1990: 12.7 %1992: 16.1 %1993: 15.5 %1994: 17.9 %1995: 22.5 %1996: 23.1 %1997: 21.1 %1999: 19.7 %2001: 18.3 %2002: 19.3 %2003: 19.6 %2004: 20 %2014: 55.9 %2015: 58.9 %2016: 59.2 %2017: 54.9 %2018: 52.1 %2019: 50.4 %2020: 53.7 %2021: 51.9 %

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.

Analysis

The most recent figure for gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Kuwait is 51.9%, measured in 2021.

That represents a change of down 3.4% on the previous year and down 7.2% over ten years.

Over the whole period, gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Kuwait peaked at 59.2% in 2016 and was at its lowest, 3.5%, in 1971.

Kuwait ranks 82nd of 194 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.

Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Kuwait, year by year

Annual values for Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes (%) in Kuwait, 1971 to 2021.
Year % Change
1971 3.5%
1972 4.3% +25.2%
1973 4.9% +13.4%
1974 5.7% +15.7%
1975 5.8% +1.4%
1976 7.3% +27.3%
1977 8.2% +11.9%
1978 9.4% +15.1%
1979 8.3% -12.5%
1980 8.4% +1.8%
1981 8.9% +6.2%
1982 9.9% +11.2%
1983 11.0% +10.4%
1984 11.4% +4.1%
1985 13.1% +14.2%
1986 13.8% +6.0%
1987 14.6% +5.1%
1988 15.3% +5.1%
1989 15.4% +1.0%
1990 12.7% -18.1%
1992 16.1% +27.2%
1993 15.5% -3.4%
1994 17.9% +15.5%
1995 22.5% +25.6%
1996 23.1% +2.5%
1997 21.1% -8.6%
1999 19.7% -6.5%
2001 18.3% -7.2%
2002 19.3% +5.2%
2003 19.6% +1.6%
2004 20.0% +2.0%
2014 55.9% +179.8%
2015 58.9% +5.5%
2016 59.2% +0.5%
2017 54.9% -7.3%
2018 52.1% -5.1%
2019 50.4% -3.2%
2020 53.7% +6.5%
2021 51.9% -3.4%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1970s 6.4% 3.5% 9.4% 9
1980s 12.2% 8.4% 15.4% 10
1990s 18.6% 12.7% 23.1% 8
2000s 19.3% 18.3% 20.0% 4
2010s 55.3% 50.4% 59.2% 6
2020s 52.8% 51.9% 53.7% 2

Countries ranked near Kuwait

  1. 79 Panama 53.7% compare
  2. 80 Kazakhstan 52.9% compare
  3. 81 Armenia 52.8% compare
  4. 83 Barbados 50.8% compare
  5. 84 Thailand 49.1% compare
  6. 85 Maldives 48.5% compare

See the full ranking of 415 places →

More education data for Kuwait

All data for Kuwait →

Frequently asked questions

What is gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Kuwait?
Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Kuwait was 51.9% in 2021, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
What is the highest gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes recorded in Kuwait?
The highest recorded value was 59.2% in 2016.
What is the lowest gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes recorded in Kuwait?
The lowest recorded value was 3.5% in 1971.
How does Kuwait rank for gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes?
Kuwait ranks 82nd out of 194 countries with data for 2021.
Is gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes rising or falling in Kuwait?
Over the last ten years it is down 7.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Kuwait 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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Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Kuwait. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 04 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/stat/gross-enrolment-ratio-for-tertiary-education-both-sexes-percent/kuwait/

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About this data

Indicator
Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes (%)
Unit
%
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics)
Coverage
415 places, 15,139 data points, 1970–2025
Last refreshed

February 2026 Data Release