Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka: Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes was 20.7% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Sri Lanka, 1970–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2023, gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Sri Lanka stood at 20.7%.
The figure is down 7.3% on the previous year and up 16.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Sri Lanka peaked at 22.4% in 2022 and was at its lowest, 1.1%, in 1970.
That places Sri Lanka 132nd out of 194 countries with data for 2023, 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 Sri Lanka, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 1.1% | — |
| 1971 | 1.2% | +12.3% |
| 1973 | 1.1% | -3.7% |
| 1974 | 1.2% | +0.7% |
| 1975 | 1.2% | +3.5% |
| 1977 | 1.2% | +2.8% |
| 1978 | 1.2% | +1.5% |
| 1979 | 2.9% | +133.0% |
| 1981 | 2.9% | +1.1% |
| 1982 | 3.8% | +28.0% |
| 1983 | 4.2% | +10.8% |
| 1984 | 4.3% | +3.5% |
| 1985 | 3.9% | -9.6% |
| 1986 | 4.0% | +1.8% |
| 1994 | 4.8% | +19.8% |
| 2010 | 15.8% | +233.5% |
| 2011 | 14.7% | -7.4% |
| 2012 | 16.3% | +11.2% |
| 2013 | 17.8% | +8.8% |
| 2014 | 17.9% | +0.6% |
| 2015 | 18.2% | +1.7% |
| 2016 | 17.2% | -5.6% |
| 2017 | 17.2% | +0.3% |
| 2018 | 17.9% | +4.0% |
| 2019 | 19.5% | +8.8% |
| 2020 | 20.2% | +3.6% |
| 2021 | 20.8% | +3.1% |
| 2022 | 22.4% | +7.6% |
| 2023 | 20.7% | -7.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 1.4% | 1.1% | 2.9% | 8 |
| 1980s | 3.8% | 2.9% | 4.3% | 6 |
| 1990s | 4.8% | 4.8% | 4.8% | 1 |
| 2010s | 17.2% | 14.7% | 19.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 21.0% | 20.2% | 22.4% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Sri Lanka
More education data for Sri Lanka
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 155,543 (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 0 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 224,799 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 214,300 (2023)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 2.54 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 1.58 million (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -2.89 % change on previous year (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0715 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Sri Lanka?
- Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes in Sri Lanka was 20.7% in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The highest recorded value was 22.4% in 2022.
- What is the lowest gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes recorded in Sri Lanka?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.1% in 1970.
- How does Sri Lanka rank for gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes?
- Sri Lanka ranks 132nd out of 194 countries with data for 2023.
- Is gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, both sexes rising or falling in Sri Lanka?
- Over the last ten years it is up 16.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Sri Lanka 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