European Union Tertiary Enrollment
School enrollment, tertiary (% gross) SE.TER.ENRR
European Union's tertiary enrollment was 81.49% in 2025, ranked 32nd globally. This represents a 2.5% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1999–2025.
Overview
European Union's tertiary enrollment stood at 81.49% in 2025, a rise of +1.99pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 81.49% by 2025. European Union ranked 32nd globally.
Tertiary enrollment in the European Union has risen dramatically over the 27‑year span from 1999 to 2025, climbing from a trough of 49.11 % in 1999 to an all‑time peak of 81.49 % in 2025, which places the bloc at 32nd in the world rankings. This increase reflects sustained expansion of higher‑education capacity, greater alignment of curricula with labour‑market needs, and extensive use of EU funding programmes such as Erasmus+. The 2025 figure of 81.49 % is only marginally below Germany’s 82.05 % and China’s 81.79 %, underscoring the EU’s convergence with the highest enrolling economies. The upward trajectory has been reinforced by demographic shifts, the rising importance of knowledge‑intensive sectors, and policy emphasis on lifelong learning. While the current level suggests a mature system, future progress will depend on how member states address demographic aging, skill mismatches, and the digital transformation of education, which could either sustain the rise or introduce a plateau.
Data & projection
| Year | Tertiary Enrollment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 83.61% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 82.55% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 81.49% | - | - |
| 2025 | 81.49% | +1.99pp | #32 |
| 2024 | 79.50% | +0.00pp | #6 |
| 2023 | 79.50% | −0.13pp | #26 |
| 2022 | 79.63% | +1.78pp | #25 |
| 2021 | 77.86% | +2.85pp | #30 |
| 2020 | 75.01% | +0.97pp | #29 |
| 2019 | 74.04% | +1.13pp | #31 |
| 2018 | 72.91% | +1.13pp | #32 |
| 2017 | 71.79% | +1.27pp | #31 |
| 2016 | 70.51% | +0.75pp | #31 |
| 2015 | 69.77% | +1.03pp | #30 |
| 2014 | 68.74% | +1.18pp | #31 |
| 2013 | 67.56% | +0.19pp | #28 |
| 2012 | 67.38% | −0.14pp | #26 |
| 2011 | 67.51% | +0.62pp | #27 |
Analysis
European Union's tertiary enrollment was 81.49% in 2025, a rise of +1.99pp from 2024. Based on trends, estimated 81.49% by 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
European Union's tertiary enrollment was 81.49% in 2025. Ranked 32nd globally. This represents a 2.5% increase from the previous year.
European Union's tertiary enrollment peaked at 81.49% in 2025.
The lowest tertiary enrollment in European Union was 49.11% in 1999.
European Union ranks 32nd globally in tertiary enrollment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.TER.ENRR. Data sourced from World Bank.
European Union's tertiary enrollment is projected to reach 81.49% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The tertiary enrollment of European Union in 2025 was 81.49%. This ranks 32nd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_european-union_tertiary-enrollment,
title = {European Union Tertiary Enrollment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/european-union/tertiary-enrollment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}