Tonga Tertiary Enrollment
School enrollment, tertiary (% gross) SE.TER.ENRR
Tonga's tertiary enrollment was 37.62% in 2025, ranked 95th globally. This represents a 12.2% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
Tonga's tertiary enrollment stood at 37.62% in 2025, a decline of +5.24pp from 2023. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 37.62% by 2025. Tonga ranked 95th globally.
Tonga’s tertiary enrollment rate has risen from a recorded 0.00 % in 1970, when the system first reported data, to 37.62 % in 2025, placing the kingdom 95th in the world. The ascent accelerated after the 1990s, reaching an all‑time peak of 42.86 % in 2023, before a modest decline to the current level. This trajectory mirrors the experience of regional peers such as Malaysia, whose 2025 enrollment stands at 37.12 %, and Brunei Darussalam at 38.12 %, suggesting that small island economies can achieve comparable participation rates despite limited higher‑education infrastructure. The eight‑year coverage of the series captures a period of sustained policy focus on expanding university access and scholarship programmes, yet the recent dip indicates vulnerability to external shocks, including demographic shifts and fiscal constraints. Continued investment in digital learning platforms and regional collaboration could stabilise the upward trend and enable Tonga to approach the enrollment levels of its higher‑ranked counterparts.
Data & projection
| Year | Tertiary Enrollment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026* trend | 39.02% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 37.62% | - | - |
| 2025 | 37.62% | −5.24pp | #95 |
| 2023 | 42.86% | +21.58pp | #78 |
| 2020 | 21.28% | +14.45pp | #105 |
| 2003 | 6.82% | +0.70pp | #98 |
| 2002 | 6.13% | +1.50pp | #98 |
| 2001 | 4.63% | −0.75pp | #91 |
| 2000 | 5.37% | +5.37pp | #81 |
| 1970 | 0.00% | – | #25 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Tonga matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2022. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw tertiary enrollment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Tonga's tertiary enrollment was 37.62% in 2025. Ranked 95th globally. This represents a 12.2% decrease from the previous year.
Tonga's tertiary enrollment peaked at 42.86% in 2023.
The lowest tertiary enrollment in Tonga was 0.00% in 1970.
Tonga ranks 95th globally in tertiary enrollment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SE.TER.ENRR. Data sourced from World Bank.
Tonga's tertiary enrollment is projected to reach 37.62% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The tertiary enrollment of Tonga in 2025 was 37.62%. This ranks 95th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_tonga_tertiary-enrollment,
title = {Tonga Tertiary Enrollment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/tonga/tertiary-enrollment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}