Total outbound internationally mobile tertiary … both sexes UIS in North Korea
North Korea: Total outbound internationally mobile tertiary … both sexes UIS was 899 in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2023)
899
Change on year
down 1.6%
World rank
184th
of 210 countries
All-time high
5,172
in 1998
All-time low
697
in 2001
Years of data
26
1998–2023
Total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying in North Korea, 1998–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
North Korea recorded 899 for total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying in 2023.
The figure is down 1.6% on the previous year and down 34.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying in North Korea peaked at 5,172 in 1998 and was at its lowest, 697, in 2001.
That places North Korea 184th out of 210 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the bottom quarter.
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 North Korea, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 5,172 | — |
| 1999 | 1,105 | -78.6% |
| 2000 | 833 | -24.6% |
| 2001 | 697 | -16.3% |
| 2002 | 739 | +6.0% |
| 2003 | 803 | +8.7% |
| 2004 | 1,130 | +40.7% |
| 2005 | 1,309 | +15.8% |
| 2006 | 1,165 | -11.0% |
| 2007 | 1,860 | +59.7% |
| 2008 | 2,218 | +19.2% |
| 2009 | 2,165 | -2.4% |
| 2010 | 1,995 | -7.9% |
| 2011 | 1,395 | -30.1% |
| 2012 | 1,221 | -12.5% |
| 2013 | 1,363 | +11.6% |
| 2014 | 1,414 | +3.7% |
| 2015 | 1,550 | +9.6% |
| 2016 | 1,460 | -5.8% |
| 2017 | 1,407 | -3.6% |
| 2018 | 1,277 | -9.2% |
| 2019 | 916 | -28.3% |
| 2020 | 1,119 | +22.2% |
| 2021 | 1,047 | -6.4% |
| 2022 | 914 | -12.7% |
| 2023 | 899 | -1.6% |
North Korea compared with similar countries
- North Korea's 899 is below the median for low income countries, which is 7,253, 12% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- North Korea's 899 is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 3,904, 23% of the median. (32 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 3,138 | 1,105 | 5,172 | 2 |
| 2000s | 1,292 | 697 | 2,218 | 10 |
| 2010s | 1,400 | 916 | 1,995 | 10 |
| 2020s | 994.75 | 899 | 1,119 | 4 |
Countries ranked near North Korea
More education data for North Korea
- Theoretical duration of upper secondary education (years), annual 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Secondary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Theoretical duration of primary education (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Theoretical duration of pre-primary education (years), annual growth 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Start of the academic school year (pre-primary to post-secondary non) 0.0494 % change on previous year (2025)
- Start of the academic school year (tertiary education), gaps filled 2,021 tertiary education (2022)
- Duration of pre primary education, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Start of the academic school year (tertiary education), annual growth 0.0495 % change on previous year (2022)
- Theoretical duration of lower secondary education (years), annual 0 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying in North Korea?
- Total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying in North Korea was 899 in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying recorded in North Korea?
- The highest recorded value was 5,172 in 1998.
- What is the lowest total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying recorded in North Korea?
- The lowest recorded value was 697 in 2001.
- How does North Korea rank for total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying?
- North Korea ranks 184th out of 210 countries with data for 2023.
- Is total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying rising or falling in North Korea?
- Over the last ten years it is down 34.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this North Korea 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