Total outbound internationally mobile tertiary … both sexes UIS in China
China: Total outbound internationally mobile tertiary … both sexes UIS was 1.08 million in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
1.08 million
Change on year
up 1.9%
World rank
1st
of 210 countries
All-time high
1.11 million
in 2020
All-time low
134,461
in 1998
Years of data
26
1998–2023
Total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying in China, 1998–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
The most recent figure for total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying in China is 1.08 million, measured in 2023.
The figure is up 1.9% on the previous year and up 49.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying in China peaked at 1.11 million in 2020 and was at its lowest, 134,461, in 1998.
That places China 1st out of 210 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Total outbound internationally mobile tertiary … both sexes UIS in China, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 134,461 | — |
| 1999 | 137,674 | +2.4% |
| 2000 | 156,814 | +13.9% |
| 2001 | 184,149 | +17.4% |
| 2002 | 228,671 | +24.2% |
| 2003 | 287,825 | +25.9% |
| 2004 | 333,158 | +15.8% |
| 2005 | 366,401 | +10.0% |
| 2006 | 374,560 | +2.2% |
| 2007 | 411,827 | +9.9% |
| 2008 | 447,105 | +8.6% |
| 2009 | 508,745 | +13.8% |
| 2010 | 581,116 | +14.2% |
| 2011 | 636,262 | +9.5% |
| 2012 | 678,013 | +6.6% |
| 2013 | 720,446 | +6.3% |
| 2014 | 771,612 | +7.1% |
| 2015 | 820,450 | +6.3% |
| 2016 | 868,930 | +5.9% |
| 2017 | 930,743 | +7.1% |
| 2018 | 1.00 million | +7.5% |
| 2019 | 1.06 million | +6.3% |
| 2020 | 1.11 million | +4.7% |
| 2021 | 1.04 million | -6.3% |
| 2022 | 1.06 million | +1.3% |
| 2023 | 1.08 million | +1.9% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 1.08 million is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 13,820, 77.9× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- China's 1.08 million is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 3,904, 275.7× the median. (32 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 136,068 | 134,461 | 137,674 | 2 |
| 2000s | 329,926 | 156,814 | 508,745 | 10 |
| 2010s | 807,084 | 581,116 | 1.06 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.07 million | 1.04 million | 1.11 million | 4 |
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 total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying in China?
- Total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying in China was 1.08 million in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 1.11 million in 2020.
- What is the lowest total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 134,461 in 1998.
- How does China rank for total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying?
- China ranks 1st out of 210 countries with data for 2023.
- Is total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is up 49.4%. 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 Total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying abroad, all countries, both sexes (UIS estimate) (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 26 observations, free to reuse under CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics).
About this data
February 2026 Data Release