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
Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Kuwait, 1971–2021
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
| 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% |
Kuwait compared with similar countries
- Kuwait's 51.9% is below the median for high income countries, which is 73.5%, 71% of the median. (71 countries reporting)
- Kuwait's 51.9% is above the median for Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan & Pakistan, which is 44.5%, 1.2× the median. (23 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes (%) in Kuwait 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | +179.8% | 20.0% | 55.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | 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
More education data for Kuwait
- Gender gap education levels, gaps filled 86.7 (2021)
- Primary enrollment selected countries, gaps filled 80.57 (2021)
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 47,443 (2021)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 11 (2021)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 30,349 (2021)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 29,489 (2021)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 302,047 (2015)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 265,113 (2021)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -4.44 % change on previous year (2021)
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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About this data
February 2026 Data Release