Saudi Arabia Tertiary Enrollment
School enrollment, tertiary (% gross) SE.TER.ENRR
Saudi Arabia's tertiary enrollment was 79.41% in 2025, ranked 41st globally. This represents a 5.3% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1971–2025.
Overview
Saudi Arabia's tertiary enrollment stood at 79.41% in 2025, a decline of +4.47pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 79.41% by 2025. Saudi Arabia ranked 41st globally.
Saudi Arabia's tertiary enrollment rate has experienced significant growth over the past five decades, with the latest figure standing at 79.41% in 2025. This marks a substantial increase from the all-time trough of 2.79% in 1971, indicating a notable expansion in higher education access. The country's tertiary enrollment rate peaked at 83.88% in 2024, surpassing that of Bulgaria, which ranks similarly at 79.43%. In comparison to other developed economies, Saudi Arabia's tertiary enrollment rate has converged towards that of Switzerland, which stands at 79.48%. The substantial increase in tertiary enrollment in Saudi Arabia reflects the country's efforts to develop its human capital and diversify its economy. However, the trend may be impacted by changes in government policies or shifts in global demographics, which could influence the trajectory of tertiary education in the country.
Data & projection
| Year | Tertiary Enrollment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 81.57% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 80.49% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 79.41% | - | - |
| 2025 | 79.41% | −4.47pp | #41 |
| 2024 | 83.88% | +14.54pp | #4 |
| 2022 | 69.35% | −2.20pp | #45 |
| 2021 | 71.54% | −2.21pp | #42 |
| 2020 | 73.75% | −4.22pp | #33 |
| 2019 | 77.97% | +4.77pp | #24 |
| 2018 | 73.20% | +2.45pp | #31 |
| 2017 | 70.75% | +6.76pp | #35 |
| 2016 | 63.98% | +6.89pp | #44 |
| 2015 | 57.09% | +3.91pp | #53 |
| 2014 | 53.18% | +7.00pp | #52 |
| 2013 | 46.18% | +6.38pp | #59 |
| 2012 | 39.80% | +6.65pp | #70 |
| 2011 | 33.15% | +3.82pp | #72 |
| 2010 | 29.32% | +4.29pp | #73 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Saudi Arabia 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
Saudi Arabia's tertiary enrollment was 79.41% in 2025. Ranked 41st globally. This represents a 5.3% decrease from the previous year.
Saudi Arabia's tertiary enrollment peaked at 83.88% in 2024.
The lowest tertiary enrollment in Saudi Arabia was 2.79% in 1971.
Saudi Arabia ranks 41st globally in tertiary enrollment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.TER.ENRR. Data sourced from World Bank.
Saudi Arabia's tertiary enrollment is projected to reach 79.41% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The tertiary enrollment of Saudi Arabia in 2025 was 79.41%. This ranks 41st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_saudi-arabia_tertiary-enrollment,
title = {Saudi Arabia Tertiary Enrollment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/saudi-arabia/tertiary-enrollment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}