Tertiary School Enrollment Rate
Gross enrollment ratio for tertiary education, measuring total enrollment as percentage of the 5-year age group following secondary education.
Quick Reference
Unit
%
Category
Education
Metric Code
tertiary_school_enrollment
How It's Calculated
Total enrollment in tertiary education (ISCED levels 5-8: short-cycle tertiary, bachelor's, master's, doctoral) divided by the population in the 5-year age group immediately following upper secondary (typically ages 18-22), multiplied by 100. Based on UNESCO UIS administrative data. Can exceed 100% when non-traditional students (mature learners, part-time) enroll.
Why It Matters
Tertiary education drives innovation, research capacity, and high-skilled workforce development. It is essential for knowledge economies and competitiveness in advanced industries. Countries with low tertiary enrollment face brain drain as talented youth seek opportunities abroad. Rising tertiary enrollment signals economic development and investment in human capital.
Understanding the Values
Very Low: < 15% (limited access - low-income countries, Malawi 1%, Niger 2%) Low: 15-35% (expanding - sub-Saharan Africa average ~9%, South Asia ~27%) Moderate: 35-60% (middle-income - Latin America ~54%, East Asia ~48%) High: 60-80% (advanced - USA 88%, South Korea 95%) Very High: > 80% (mass tertiary enrollment - Australia 113%, Turkey 121%) Global average: ~41% (2020) Europe/North America: ~75-79% Sub-Saharan Africa: ~9% Note: Ratios > 100% reflect lifelong learning, part-time students, international students.
Related Metrics
Government Expenditure on Education (% of GDP)
Total government spending on education as percentage of gross domestic product, measuring national investment in education systems.
Adult Literacy Rate
Percentage of population ages 15 and above who can read and write a short simple statement about their everyday life.
Secondary School Enrollment Rate
Gross enrollment ratio for secondary education, measuring total enrollment as percentage of secondary school-age population.
Gross Enrollment Ratio - Tertiary Education
Total tertiary education enrollment regardless of age, expressed as percentage of the population in the 5-year age cohort following secondary education.
Data Quality & Coverage
Coverage: ~170 countries Update frequency: Annual Source: World Bank / UNESCO UIS Limitations: Gross enrollment inflated by non-traditional students, international students, and delayed entry. Does not measure quality, relevance to labor market, or field of study. Graduate unemployment rising in some countries despite high enrollment. Public vs private breakdown critical (privatization trend). Gender parity achieved globally (women 54% of tertiary students) but disparities remain in STEM fields.