Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, male in China

China: Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, male was 71.6% in 2024. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2024)
71.6%
Change on year
up 3.3%
World rank
22nd
of 189 countries
All-time high
71.6%
in 2024
All-time low
0.4%
in 1974
Years of data
30
1974–2024

Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, male in China, 1974–2024

0204060801974199920241974: 0.442 %1975: 0.582 %1976: 0.728 %1977: 0.818 %1978: 0.961 %1979: 1.5 %1980: 1.9 %1994: 4.9 %2003: 15.8 %2004: 17.8 %2005: 19.5 %2006: 21 %2007: 21.5 %2008: 21.5 %2009: 22.6 %2010: 24.3 %2011: 25.4 %2012: 27.6 %2013: 30.5 %2014: 40.3 %2015: 43 %2016: 44.6 %2017: 46.1 %2018: 48 %2019: 50.8 %2020: 55.9 %2021: 61.2 %2022: 66.4 %2023: 69.3 %2024: 71.6 %

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.

Analysis

China recorded 71.6% for gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, male in 2024. That is the highest value across all 30 years on record.

The figure is up 3.3% on the previous year and up 77.7% over ten years.

Over the whole period, gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, male in China peaked at 71.6% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0.4%, in 1974.

China ranks 22nd of 189 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, male in China, year by year

Annual values for Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, male (%) in China, 1974 to 2024.
Year % Change
1974 0.4%
1975 0.6% +31.9%
1976 0.7% +25.0%
1977 0.8% +12.3%
1978 1.0% +17.6%
1979 1.5% +56.0%
1980 1.9% +27.0%
1994 4.9% +157.6%
2003 15.8% +222.1%
2004 17.8% +12.8%
2005 19.5% +9.2%
2006 21.0% +7.8%
2007 21.5% +2.5%
2008 21.5% -0.2%
2009 22.6% +5.3%
2010 24.3% +7.3%
2011 25.4% +4.7%
2012 27.6% +8.6%
2013 30.5% +10.5%
2014 40.3% +32.1%
2015 43.0% +6.7%
2016 44.6% +3.8%
2017 46.1% +3.3%
2018 48.0% +4.1%
2019 50.8% +5.8%
2020 55.9% +10.1%
2021 61.2% +9.5%
2022 66.4% +8.4%
2023 69.3% +4.4%
2024 71.6% +3.3%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1970s 0.8% 0.4% 1.5% 6
1980s 1.9% 1.9% 1.9% 1
1990s 4.9% 4.9% 4.9% 1
2000s 19.9% 15.8% 22.6% 7
2010s 38.0% 24.3% 50.8% 10
2020s 64.9% 55.9% 71.6% 5

Countries ranked near China

  1. 19 Norway 76.6% compare
  2. 20 Germany 72.8% compare
  3. 21 Albania 72.1% compare
  4. 23 Portugal 70.3% compare
  5. 24 Ireland 69.7% compare
  6. 25 Belgium 69.5% compare

See the full ranking of 410 places →

More education data for China

All data for China →

Frequently asked questions

What is gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, male in China?
Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, male in China was 71.6% in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
What is the highest gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, male recorded in China?
The highest recorded value was 71.6% in 2024.
What is the lowest gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, male recorded in China?
The lowest recorded value was 0.4% in 1974.
How does China rank for gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, male?
China ranks 22nd out of 189 countries with data for 2024.
Is gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, male rising or falling in China?
Over the last ten years it is up 77.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this China data come from?
The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, male (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, male in China. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 02 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/stat/gross-enrolment-ratio-for-tertiary-education-male-percent/china/

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About this data

Indicator
Gross enrolment ratio for tertiary education, male (%)
Unit
%
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics)
Coverage
410 places, 14,235 data points, 1970–2025
Last refreshed

February 2026 Data Release