Portugal Tertiary Enrollment
School enrollment, tertiary (% gross) SE.TER.ENRR
Portugal's tertiary enrollment was 83.94% in 2025, ranked 26th globally. This represents a 8.1% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2015–2025.
Overview
Portugal's tertiary enrollment stood at 83.94% in 2025, a rise of +6.26pp from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 83.94% by 2025. Portugal ranked 26th globally.
Portugal's tertiary enrollment rate has experienced a significant increase over the past decade, from 61.80% in 2015 to 83.94% in 2025, making it the 26th highest globally. This upward trend is comparable to that of Andorra, which ranks among the top countries in tertiary enrollment, with a rate of 84.63% in 2025. The improvement in Portugal's tertiary enrollment rate is a positive indicator of the country's commitment to education and human capital development. The increase in enrollment rates is largely attributed to the government's efforts to expand access to higher education, particularly in the areas of vocational training and lifelong learning. As of 2025, Portugal's tertiary enrollment rate reached an all-time high, surpassing the 61.80% trough in 2015. However, the trend may be impacted if there are changes in government policies or funding for education, which could affect the country's ability to maintain its position in the rankings.
Data & projection
| Year | Tertiary Enrollment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 86.95% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 83.94% | - | - |
| 2025 | 83.94% | +6.26pp | #26 |
| 2023 | 77.68% | +2.61pp | #30 |
| 2022 | 75.07% | +2.56pp | #37 |
| 2021 | 72.51% | +4.36pp | #39 |
| 2020 | 68.16% | +2.06pp | #42 |
| 2019 | 66.09% | +0.98pp | #44 |
| 2018 | 65.11% | +0.91pp | #44 |
| 2017 | 64.20% | +0.97pp | #46 |
| 2016 | 63.24% | +1.44pp | #45 |
| 2015 | 61.80% | – | #44 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Portugal matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2024. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw tertiary enrollment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Portugal's tertiary enrollment was 83.94% in 2025. Ranked 26th globally. This represents a 8.1% increase from the previous year.
Portugal's tertiary enrollment peaked at 83.94% in 2025.
The lowest tertiary enrollment in Portugal was 61.80% in 2015.
Portugal ranks 26th globally in tertiary enrollment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.TER.ENRR. Data sourced from World Bank.
Portugal's tertiary enrollment is projected to reach 83.94% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The tertiary enrollment of Portugal in 2025 was 83.94%. This ranks 26th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_portugal_tertiary-enrollment,
title = {Portugal Tertiary Enrollment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/portugal/tertiary-enrollment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}