The data for 2023 shows Brazil leading with 9.6566 million students enrolled in tertiary education, followed by Russia and Mexico with 6.331 and 5.1979 million respectively. The United Kingdom experienced notable growth year-on-year at 6.81%, while South Korea saw a decline of 2.33%. Some countries, like Iceland, saw remarkable growth in percentage terms at 8.45%, albeit from a smaller base. Over the last five years, countries generally saw moderate increases, with particular growth in Spain and Italy, while regions like Eastern Europe, including Poland and Latvia, experienced declines.
Future trends to watch include:
- Brazil and Mexico's sustained growth in enrollment, which may continue to reshuffle global standings in tertiary education.
- Western European countries like the United Kingdom may keep experiencing significant increases, driven by initiatives to attract more international students.
- Countries with declining trends, such as South Korea, need strategies to curb this trajectory, while countries with modest growth, like Italy and Spain, could reach larger increases with appropriate policies.
- The overall global educational market remains dynamic, with potential disruptions from new educational technologies and online learning alternatives.
Top countries in Number of Students Enrolled in Tertiary Education by Country
| # | 10 Countries | Units (Persons) | Last Year | YoY | 5-years CAGR | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Brazil | 9,656,600 | 2023 | +2.12% | +2.01% | View data |
| 2 | 2 Russia | 6,331,000 | 2023 | -1.51% | -1.21% | View data |
| 3 | 3 Mexico | 5,197,900 | 2023 | +2.09% | +2.64% | View data |
| 4 | 4 Japan | 3,882,300 | 2023 | +0.04% | +0.11% | View data |
| 5 | 5 United Kingdom | 3,429,700 | 2023 | +7.02% | +6.81% | View data |
| 6 | 6 South Korea | 2,740,300 | 2023 | -2.96% | -2.33% | View data |
| 7 | 7 Colombia | 2,507,900 | 2023 | +1.21% | +0.82% | View data |
| 8 | 8 Spain | 2,488,000 | 2023 | +4.76% | +3.93% | View data |
| 9 | 9 Italy | 2,239,200 | 2023 | +3.24% | +3.38% | View data |
| 10 | 10 Canada | 1,839,800 | 2023 | +1.1% | +2.54% | View data |
