Teachers in tertiary education programmes, both sexes (number) in China
China: Teachers in tertiary education programmes, both sexes (number) was 1.61 million in 2011. ◆ Volatile
Teachers in tertiary education programmes, both sexes in China, 1970–2011
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
The most recent figure for teachers in tertiary education programmes, both sexes in China is 1.61 million, measured in 2011. That is the highest value across all 31 years on record.
The figure is up 3.2% on the previous year and up 172.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, teachers in tertiary education programmes, both sexes in China peaked at 1.61 million in 2011 and was at its lowest, 130,175, in 1973.
China ranks 2nd of 185 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Teachers in tertiary education programmes, both sexes (number) in China, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 137,272 | — |
| 1973 | 130,175 | -5.2% |
| 1974 | 138,931 | +6.7% |
| 1975 | 148,401 | +6.8% |
| 1976 | 155,723 | +4.9% |
| 1977 | 167,409 | +7.5% |
| 1978 | 186,489 | +11.4% |
| 1979 | 206,254 | +10.6% |
| 1980 | 231,476 | +12.2% |
| 1981 | 281,765 | +21.7% |
| 1982 | 282,554 | +0.3% |
| 1983 | 334,712 | +18.5% |
| 1985 | 374,174 | +11.8% |
| 1986 | 409,971 | +9.6% |
| 1987 | 471,111 | +14.9% |
| 1994 | 522,086 | +10.8% |
| 1997 | 510,570 | -2.2% |
| 1998 | 516,400 | +1.1% |
| 1999 | 503,865 | -2.4% |
| 2000 | 523,326 | +3.9% |
| 2001 | 588,641 | +12.5% |
| 2002 | 679,888 | +15.5% |
| 2003 | 742,461 | +9.2% |
| 2004 | 805,034 | +8.4% |
| 2005 | 1.40 million | +74.4% |
| 2006 | 1.33 million | -5.1% |
| 2007 | 1.48 million | +10.9% |
| 2008 | 1.59 million | +7.9% |
| 2009 | 1.49 million | -6.3% |
| 2010 | 1.56 million | +4.2% |
| 2011 | 1.61 million | +3.2% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 1.61 million is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 19,749, 81.3× the median. (52 countries reporting)
- China's 1.61 million is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 15,678, 102.5× the median. (25 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Teachers in tertiary education programmes, both sexes (number) in China changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | +74.4% | 805,034 | 1.40 million |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 158,832 | 130,175 | 206,254 | 8 |
| 1980s | 340,823 | 231,476 | 471,111 | 7 |
| 1990s | 513,230 | 503,865 | 522,086 | 4 |
| 2000s | 1.06 million | 523,326 | 1.59 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.58 million | 1.56 million | 1.61 million | 2 |
Countries ranked near China
More education data for China
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 7.41 million (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 7,020 (2021)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 21.58 million (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 19.36 million (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 97.98 million (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 108.57 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 0.9587 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.0771 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is teachers in tertiary education programmes, both sexes in China?
- Teachers in tertiary education programmes, both sexes in China was 1.61 million in 2011, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest teachers in tertiary education programmes, both sexes recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 1.61 million in 2011.
- What is the lowest teachers in tertiary education programmes, both sexes recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 130,175 in 1973.
- How does China rank for teachers in tertiary education programmes, both sexes?
- China ranks 2nd out of 185 countries with data for 2011.
- Is teachers in tertiary education programmes, both sexes rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is up 172.9%. 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 Teachers in tertiary education programmes, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 31 observations, free to reuse under CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics).
About this data
February 2026 Data Release