Samoa Tertiary Enrollment
School enrollment, tertiary (% gross) SE.TER.ENRR
Samoa's tertiary enrollment was 17.96% in 2025, ranked 118th globally. This represents a 22.9% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
Samoa's tertiary enrollment stood at 17.96% in 2025, a rise of +3.35pp from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 17.96% by 2025. Samoa ranked 118th globally.
Samoa's tertiary enrollment rate has exhibited a notable increase over the past five decades, rising from a mere 0.96% in 1970 to a peak of 19.14% in 2021. This growth trend was interrupted briefly in 2025, when the rate declined to 17.96%, still ranking the country 118th globally. A comparison with peer countries reveals that Samoa lags behind Cambodia, which boasts a higher tertiary enrollment rate of 21.89%, but surpasses Botswana, which has a rate of 20.47%. The increasing demand for higher education in Samoa is likely driven by the country's growing economic needs and the rising awareness of the importance of education in securing better job prospects. If Samoa continues to invest in its education sector and address issues related to accessibility and affordability, it is possible that the country's tertiary enrollment rate will continue to rise, potentially bridging the gap with its more advanced peers.
Data & projection
| Year | Tertiary Enrollment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 18.28% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 17.96% | - | - |
| 2025 | 17.96% | +3.35pp | #118 |
| 2023 | 14.61% | −3.94pp | #113 |
| 2022 | 18.55% | −0.59pp | #106 |
| 2021 | 19.14% | +1.81pp | #109 |
| 2020 | 17.33% | +3.75pp | #109 |
| 2019 | 13.58% | −0.58pp | #115 |
| 2018 | 14.16% | +0.90pp | #115 |
| 2017 | 13.26% | +6.07pp | #115 |
| 2000 | 7.19% | −3.84pp | #77 |
| 1999 | 11.03% | +2.48pp | #35 |
| 1998 | 8.56% | +5.56pp | #19 |
| 1983 | 2.99% | −0.55pp | #35 |
| 1981 | 3.54% | +1.01pp | #36 |
| 1978 | 2.54% | −0.00pp | #24 |
| 1977 | 2.54% | +0.77pp | #28 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Samoa 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
Samoa's tertiary enrollment was 17.96% in 2025. Ranked 118th globally. This represents a 22.9% increase from the previous year.
Samoa's tertiary enrollment peaked at 19.14% in 2021.
The lowest tertiary enrollment in Samoa was 0.96% in 1970.
Samoa ranks 118th globally in tertiary enrollment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.TER.ENRR. Data sourced from World Bank.
Samoa's tertiary enrollment is projected to reach 17.96% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The tertiary enrollment of Samoa in 2025 was 17.96%. This ranks 118th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_samoa_tertiary-enrollment,
title = {Samoa Tertiary Enrollment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/samoa/tertiary-enrollment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}