Thailand Tertiary Enrollment
School enrollment, tertiary (% gross) SE.TER.ENRR
Thailand's tertiary enrollment was 49.08% in 2025, ranked 81st globally. This represents a 9.1% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 2001–2025.
Overview
Thailand's tertiary enrollment stood at 49.08% in 2025, a rise of +4.09pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 49.13% by 2026. Thailand ranked 81st globally.
Thailand’s tertiary enrollment rose from 38.93 % in 2001, the lowest point in the 25‑year series, to a peak of 52.73 % in 2011 before settling at 49.08 % in 2025, placing the country 81st globally. The post‑2011 decline reflects a modest slowdown after a decade of rapid expansion, yet the 2025 figure still exceeds the early‑2000s level by more than ten percentage points. Compared with peers, Thailand’s enrollment is slightly below Mexico’s 49.59 % and close to Qatar’s 48.47 %, suggesting a comparable position among middle‑income economies with diversified higher‑education systems. The sustained rise since the trough indicates that policy reforms and increased private‑sector participation have broadened access, but the recent dip hints at capacity constraints or demographic shifts. Continued investment in university infrastructure and scholarship programmes could reinforce the upward trajectory and help Thailand surpass the 2011 peak in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Tertiary Enrollment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 51.71% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 50.42% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 49.13% | - | - |
| 2025 | 49.08% | +4.09pp | #81 |
| 2024 | 44.98% | −0.46pp | #28 |
| 2023 | 45.44% | +2.15pp | #73 |
| 2022 | 43.29% | −0.17pp | #81 |
| 2021 | 43.47% | +0.88pp | #82 |
| 2020 | 42.59% | −2.40pp | #82 |
| 2019 | 44.99% | −1.18pp | #75 |
| 2018 | 46.17% | −1.26pp | #74 |
| 2017 | 47.43% | −1.90pp | #73 |
| 2016 | 49.32% | +3.61pp | #68 |
| 2015 | 45.71% | −4.20pp | #73 |
| 2014 | 49.91% | +0.22pp | #60 |
| 2013 | 49.69% | −1.05pp | #53 |
| 2012 | 50.74% | −1.99pp | #51 |
| 2011 | 52.73% | +6.35pp | #46 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Thailand matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 2017. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw tertiary enrollment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Thailand's tertiary enrollment was 49.08% in 2025. Ranked 81st globally. This represents a 9.1% increase from the previous year.
Thailand's tertiary enrollment peaked at 52.73% in 2011.
The lowest tertiary enrollment in Thailand was 38.93% in 2001.
Thailand ranks 81st globally in tertiary enrollment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.TER.ENRR. Data sourced from World Bank.
Thailand's tertiary enrollment is projected to reach 49.13% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The tertiary enrollment of Thailand in 2025 was 49.08%. This ranks 81st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_thailand_tertiary-enrollment,
title = {Thailand Tertiary Enrollment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/thailand/tertiary-enrollment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}