Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Malaysia
Malaysia: Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes was 38.5% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Malaysia, 1979–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Malaysia is 38.5%, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 3.3% on the previous year and up 0.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Malaysia peaked at 45.4% in 2016 and was at its lowest, 4.0%, in 1979.
That places Malaysia 101st out of 194 countries with data for 2024, putting it 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 Malaysia, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | 4.0% | — |
| 1980 | 4.2% | +6.0% |
| 1982 | 4.6% | +9.2% |
| 1983 | 4.6% | -0.8% |
| 1984 | 5.1% | +10.7% |
| 1985 | 6.0% | +18.0% |
| 1986 | 6.9% | +16.1% |
| 1987 | 7.5% | +8.0% |
| 1988 | 7.5% | -0.4% |
| 1989 | 6.7% | -10.9% |
| 1990 | 7.3% | +9.0% |
| 1991 | 8.1% | +11.1% |
| 1992 | 9.2% | +13.7% |
| 1993 | 9.5% | +3.2% |
| 1994 | 10.4% | +9.9% |
| 1995 | 11.3% | +8.3% |
| 1998 | 22.9% | +103.6% |
| 1999 | 24.2% | +5.5% |
| 2000 | 27.6% | +13.9% |
| 2001 | 27.0% | -2.1% |
| 2002 | 28.9% | +7.3% |
| 2003 | 31.3% | +8.1% |
| 2004 | 29.8% | -4.7% |
| 2005 | 27.1% | -8.9% |
| 2006 | 27.7% | +2.0% |
| 2007 | 29.4% | +6.2% |
| 2008 | 32.9% | +12.0% |
| 2009 | 35.1% | +6.6% |
| 2010 | 36.7% | +4.6% |
| 2011 | 35.6% | -3.0% |
| 2012 | 36.8% | +3.5% |
| 2013 | 38.1% | +3.4% |
| 2014 | 38.4% | +0.8% |
| 2015 | 44.3% | +15.4% |
| 2016 | 45.4% | +2.5% |
| 2017 | 42.3% | -6.9% |
| 2018 | 43.3% | +2.4% |
| 2019 | 40.8% | -5.8% |
| 2020 | 39.7% | -2.6% |
| 2021 | 38.2% | -3.9% |
| 2022 | 37.0% | -3.2% |
| 2023 | 37.3% | +0.8% |
| 2024 | 38.5% | +3.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 4.0% | 4.0% | 4.0% | 1 |
| 1980s | 5.9% | 4.2% | 7.5% | 9 |
| 1990s | 12.8% | 7.3% | 24.2% | 8 |
| 2000s | 29.7% | 27.0% | 35.1% | 10 |
| 2010s | 40.2% | 35.6% | 45.4% | 10 |
| 2020s | 38.1% | 37.0% | 39.7% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Malaysia
- 98 Oman 42.2% compare
- 99 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 41.5% compare
- 100 Azerbaijan 41.3% compare
- 102 Tunisia 38.1% compare
- 103 Egypt 38.0% compare
- 104 Marshall Islands 37.7% compare
More education data for Malaysia
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 217,105 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 0 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 475,967 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 460,041 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 2.64 million (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 3.06 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -1.2 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0859 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Malaysia?
- Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Malaysia was 38.5% in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes recorded in Malaysia?
- The highest recorded value was 45.4% in 2016.
- What is the lowest gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes recorded in Malaysia?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.0% in 1979.
- How does Malaysia rank for gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes?
- Malaysia ranks 101st out of 194 countries with data for 2024.
- Is gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes rising or falling in Malaysia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 0.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Malaysia 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