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

02.557.5101870194520201870: 01875: 01880: 01885: 01890: 01895: 01900: 01905: 01910: 0.11915: 0.11920: 0.21925: 0.31930: 0.41935: 0.51940: 0.61945: 0.71950: 0.71955: 0.81960: 0.61965: 11970: 1.21975: 1.71980: 2.71985: 3.51990: 4.61995: 6.22000: 8.72005: 9.12010: 9.62015: 10.32020: 7.9

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

Annual values for Share of the population with completed tertiary education in India, 1870 to 2020.
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%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest 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

  1. 70 Kenya 8.4 compare
  2. 71 Indonesia 8.1 compare
  3. 72 Afghanistan 8 compare
  4. 74 Uruguay 7.7 compare
  5. 75 Barbados 7.5 compare
  6. 76 Mauritius 6.6 compare
  7. 76 Sudan 6.6 compare

See the full ranking of 111 places →

More education data for India

All data for India →

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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Share of the population with completed tertiary education in India. Statizoid, drawing on Our World in Data. Retrieved 23 August 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/stat/share-of-the-population-with-completed-tertiary-education/india/

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About this data

Indicator
Share of the population with completed tertiary education
Source
Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
111 places, 3,441 data points, 1870–2020
Last refreshed