In a historic milestone for global education, women now officially outnumber men in higher education institutions worldwide. However, a newly released UNESCO report warns that deep structural inequalities continue to persist beneath the surface.
According to UNESCO’s first Higher Education Global Trends Report, there are now 114 women enrolled in higher education for every 100 men globally. The data, which tracks a massive surge in total global enrolment over the last two decades to 269 million students, shows that gender parity has now been achieved in all regions except sub-Saharan Africa. Central and Southern Asia recorded some of the strongest progress, rising from just 68 women enrolled per 100 men in 2000 to achieving gender parity in 2023.
While women are entering higher education institutions in record numbers, they continue to lag behind at the doctoral level and hold only about one-quarter of senior leadership roles in academia, the report found.
Global Higher Education Enrolment Doubles, But Severe Gaps Remain
The report primarily highlighted that global enrolment in higher education has more than doubled over the last two decades, rising from 100 million in 2000 to 269 million in 2024. While this figure represents 43% of the population in the age group typically attending higher education (18-24 years old), the report warned that the rapid expansion has not benefited all regions equally, leaving significant portions of the global population behind.
The geographical divide is stark, with around 80% of young people enrolled in higher education in Western Europe and North America, compared with only 9% in sub-Saharan Africa. Enrolment stood at 59% in Latin America and the Caribbean, 37% in the Arab States region, and 30% in South and West Asia.
The Rise of Private Institutions and the Graduation Gap
According to the report, private institutions now account for about one-third of global enrolment, with the highest share in Latin America and the Caribbean. In Brazil, Chile, Japan and South Korea, four out of every five students attend private higher education institutions. Only about one-third of countries legally guarantee tuition-free public higher education, according to the report.
However, the report said completion of studies has not increased at the same pace as enrolment. The global gross graduation ratio rose only from 22% in 2013 to 27% in 2024.
Global Student Mobility Triples To 7.3 Million, Yet Remains Limited
The number of international students studying abroad has more than tripled over the past two decades, rising from 2.1 million in 2000 to nearly 7.3 million in 2023. Yet overseas education remains limited to a small share of the global student population, with international mobility accounting for just 3% of the global cohort, according to the report.
Student flows also remain heavily concentrated, with the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, Canada, the Russian Federation and France hosting about half of all international students.
The report also highlighted the digital divide, noting that despite the global rise of AI, only one in five universities had a formal policy on artificial intelligence by 2025.
Severe Funding Strains Amid Rising Demand
The report said government investment in higher education averages about 0.8% of global GDP, while fiscal tightening in many contexts is intensifying strain on higher education institutions worldwide.
UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany said the report showed increasing demand for higher education, but warned that the expansion had not always translated into equitable opportunities. He highlighted the need for innovative financing models to deliver quality and inclusive higher education and said UNESCO would continue supporting countries in delivering high-quality higher education opportunities for everyone.
