The total number of tertiary education graduates in the UK has shown a steady increase from 791.95 thousand in 2013 to 892.6 thousand in 2023. This represents an average annual growth rate of around 1.36% over the past five years. Year-on-year growth rates have generally been positive, although they have decelerated from 1.45% in 2013 to 1.27% in 2023. Looking ahead, the number of graduates is forecasted to reach approximately 945.46 thousand by 2028, with a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.91% and a total growth rate of 4.63% over the period.
Future trends to watch:
Monitoring advancements in educational technology and online learning platforms, changes in government funding and policy towards higher education, and shifts in the job market demanding new skill sets will be crucial in further forecasting tertiary education trends in the UK. Additionally, external factors such as economic conditions and immigration policies could also influence future graduate numbers.
