Share of the population with completed tertiary education in India
India: Share of the population with completed tertiary education was 7.9 in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2020)
7.9
World rank
73rd
of 111 countries
All-time high
10.3
in 2015
All-time low
0
in 1870
Years of data
31
1870–2020
Share of the population with completed tertiary education in India, 1870–2020
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of the population with completed tertiary education in India is 7.9, measured in 2020.
The figure is down 17.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of the population with completed tertiary education in India peaked at 10.3 in 2015 and was at its lowest, 0, in 1870.
India ranks 73rd of 111 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.
Share of the population with completed tertiary education in India, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1870 | 0 | — |
| 1875 | 0 | — |
| 1880 | 0 | — |
| 1885 | 0 | — |
| 1890 | 0 | — |
| 1895 | 0 | — |
| 1900 | 0 | — |
| 1905 | 0 | — |
| 1910 | 0.1 | — |
| 1915 | 0.1 | +0.0% |
| 1920 | 0.2 | +100.0% |
| 1925 | 0.3 | +50.0% |
| 1930 | 0.4 | +33.3% |
| 1935 | 0.5 | +25.0% |
| 1940 | 0.6 | +20.0% |
| 1945 | 0.7 | +16.7% |
| 1950 | 0.7 | +0.0% |
| 1955 | 0.8 | +14.3% |
| 1960 | 0.6 | -25.0% |
| 1965 | 1 | +66.7% |
| 1970 | 1.2 | +20.0% |
| 1975 | 1.7 | +41.7% |
| 1980 | 2.7 | +58.8% |
| 1985 | 3.5 | +29.6% |
| 1990 | 4.6 | +31.4% |
| 1995 | 6.2 | +34.8% |
| 2000 | 8.7 | +40.3% |
| 2005 | 9.1 | +4.6% |
| 2010 | 9.6 | +5.5% |
| 2015 | 10.3 | +7.3% |
| 2020 | 7.9 | -23.3% |
India compared with similar countries
- India's 7.9 is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 4.7, 1.7× the median. (25 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1870s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 1880s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 1890s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 1900s | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 1910s | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 2 |
| 1920s | 0.25 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 2 |
| 1930s | 0.45 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 2 |
| 1940s | 0.65 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 2 |
| 1950s | 0.75 | 0.7 | 0.8 | 2 |
| 1960s | 0.8 | 0.6 | 1 | 2 |
| 1970s | 1.45 | 1.2 | 1.7 | 2 |
| 1980s | 3.1 | 2.7 | 3.5 | 2 |
| 1990s | 5.4 | 4.6 | 6.2 | 2 |
| 2000s | 8.9 | 8.7 | 9.1 | 2 |
| 2010s | 9.95 | 9.6 | 10.3 | 2 |
| 2020s | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 1 |
Countries ranked near India
More education data for India
- Gender gap education levels, gaps filled 98.38 (2023)
- Primary enrollment selected countries, gaps filled 99.88 (2025)
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 7.31 million (2025)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 3.10 million (2025)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 19.37 million (2025)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 18.52 million (2025)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 133.16 million (2025)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 126.12 million (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -8.85 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of the population with completed tertiary education in India?
- Share of the population with completed tertiary education in India was 7.9 in 2020, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of the population with completed tertiary education recorded in India?
- The highest recorded value was 10.3 in 2015.
- What is the lowest share of the population with completed tertiary education recorded in India?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 in 1870.
- How does India rank for share of the population with completed tertiary education?
- India ranks 73rd out of 111 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of the population with completed tertiary education rising or falling in India?
- Over the last ten years it is down 17.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this India data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Share of the population with completed tertiary education. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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