Singapore Tertiary Enrollment
School enrollment, tertiary (% gross) SE.TER.ENRR
Singapore's tertiary enrollment was 102.24% in 2025, ranked 12th globally. This represents a 5.1% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2010–2025.
Overview
Singapore's tertiary enrollment stood at 102.24% in 2025, a rise of +4.95pp from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 102.24% by 2025. Singapore ranked 12th globally.
Singapore's tertiary enrollment rate has witnessed a steady increase over the past decade, from 93.27% in 2010 to 102.24% in 2025, making it one of the top 15 countries globally in this regard. The country has surpassed some of its peers, including Norway, where the tertiary enrollment rate stood at 103.54% in 2025, and has also surpassed Australia where the enrollment rate is 103.05% in 2025. In contrast, Singapore's rate was lower than that of Norway in 2016, when it reached an all-time trough of 83.94%. The upward trend in tertiary enrollment in Singapore suggests a growing emphasis on education and human capital development in the country. However, a decline in government funding for education could potentially disrupt this trajectory, forcing policymakers to reassess their priorities and explore alternative revenue streams to sustain the current level of investment in tertiary education.
Data & projection
| Year | Tertiary Enrollment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 103.97% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 102.24% | - | - |
| 2025 | 102.24% | +4.95pp | #12 |
| 2023 | 97.29% | −0.73pp | #10 |
| 2022 | 98.02% | +0.92pp | #11 |
| 2021 | 97.10% | +3.96pp | #9 |
| 2020 | 93.13% | +2.05pp | #8 |
| 2019 | 91.09% | +2.20pp | #10 |
| 2018 | 88.89% | +4.09pp | #12 |
| 2017 | 84.79% | +0.85pp | #14 |
| 2016 | 83.94% | −18.06pp | #13 |
| 2012 | 102.00% | +6.02pp | #2 |
| 2011 | 95.98% | +2.71pp | #3 |
| 2010 | 93.27% | – | #4 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Singapore matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2021. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw tertiary enrollment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Singapore's tertiary enrollment was 102.24% in 2025. Ranked 12th globally. This represents a 5.1% increase from the previous year.
Singapore's tertiary enrollment peaked at 102.24% in 2025.
The lowest tertiary enrollment in Singapore was 83.94% in 2016.
Singapore ranks 12th globally in tertiary enrollment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.TER.ENRR. Data sourced from World Bank.
Singapore's tertiary enrollment is projected to reach 102.24% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The tertiary enrollment of Singapore in 2025 was 102.24%. This ranks 12th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_singapore_tertiary-enrollment,
title = {Singapore Tertiary Enrollment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/singapore/tertiary-enrollment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}