Kuwait Tertiary Enrollment
School enrollment, tertiary (% gross) SE.TER.ENRR
Kuwait's tertiary enrollment was 51.90% in 2021, ranked 70th globally. This represents a 3.4% decrease from 2020. Data from World Bank, covering 1971–2021.
Overview
Kuwait's tertiary enrollment stood at 51.90% in 2021, a decline of +1.84pp from 2020. Kuwait ranked 70th globally.
Kuwait’s tertiary enrollment rate has risen dramatically from a low of 3.46 % in 1971, the all‑time trough, to 51.90 % in 2021, placing the country 70th globally. The upward trajectory accelerated after the 1990s, reaching an all‑time peak of 59.22 % in 2016 before a modest decline to the current level. Over the 39‑year coverage period, the expansion reflects sustained public investment in higher education and a diversification agenda that seeks to reduce reliance on hydrocarbons. Kuwait’s 2021 figure is comparable to peers such as Panama (52.71 %) and Cuba (51.89 %), indicating convergence with middle‑income nations that have similarly expanded university access. The slight post‑peak dip suggests that maintaining growth will depend on continued fiscal capacity, reforms to improve graduate employability, and alignment of curricula with emerging sectoral needs, which could sustain or even raise the enrollment trend in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Tertiary Enrollment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 51.90% | −1.84pp | #70 |
| 2020 | 53.73% | +3.29pp | #66 |
| 2019 | 50.44% | −1.67pp | #66 |
| 2018 | 52.11% | −2.81pp | #63 |
| 2017 | 54.92% | −4.31pp | #59 |
| 2016 | 59.22% | +0.28pp | #52 |
| 2015 | 58.94% | +3.05pp | #49 |
| 2014 | 55.89% | +35.92pp | #49 |
| 2004 | 19.97% | +0.39pp | #69 |
| 2003 | 19.59% | +0.31pp | #67 |
| 2002 | 19.28% | +0.96pp | #66 |
| 2001 | 18.32% | −1.41pp | #68 |
| 1999 | 19.73% | −1.36pp | #22 |
| 1997 | 21.10% | −1.99pp | #7 |
| 1996 | 23.09% | +0.56pp | #7 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Kuwait matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2012. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw tertiary enrollment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Kuwait's tertiary enrollment was 51.90% in 2021. Ranked 70th globally. This represents a 3.4% decrease from the previous year.
Kuwait's tertiary enrollment peaked at 59.22% in 2016.
The lowest tertiary enrollment in Kuwait was 3.46% in 1971.
Kuwait ranks 70th globally in tertiary enrollment as of 2021.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.TER.ENRR. Data sourced from World Bank.
The tertiary enrollment of Kuwait in 2021 was 51.90%. This ranks 70th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_kuwait_tertiary-enrollment,
title = {Kuwait Tertiary Enrollment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/kuwait/tertiary-enrollment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}