What This Measures
The gross tertiary enrollment rate measures the total enrollment in post-secondary education as a percentage of the population in the official tertiary education age cohort (typically 18 to 23 years). It captures the breadth of higher education access, though not the quality or relevance of education provided.
For Qatar, tertiary enrollment is a critical upstream indicator for the knowledge economy ambition — the supply of educated graduates feeds directly into workforce quality, innovation capacity, and private sector human capital.
Baseline
Approximately 16 percent (2010) — At the baseline, tertiary enrollment was concentrated in Qatar University and a small number of Education City branch campuses. The rate was below regional averages.
Current Value
Approximately 25 percent (2024 estimate) — Enrollment has expanded through capacity additions at Qatar University, maturation of Education City’s eight branch campuses, the establishment of Community College of Qatar, and growth in private higher education institutions. Female enrollment rates significantly exceed male rates.
2030 Target
30 to 35 percent — Implied by NDS human development targets and benchmarked against leading regional peers. The upper bound would bring Qatar closer to GCC leaders such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Status Assessment
On Track — Growth from 16 percent to 25 percent demonstrates meaningful expansion. Reaching 30 percent by 2030 is achievable at the current rate of improvement. Reaching 35 percent requires acceleration, particularly in vocational and technical education pathways that have historically received less investment than university education.
Key Drivers
Education City branch campuses from Georgetown, Northwestern, Carnegie Mellon, Texas A&M, Virginia Commonwealth, Weill Cornell, HEC Paris, and UCL. Qatar University capacity expansion and programme diversification. Community College of Qatar providing applied and technical education. Scholarship programmes funding domestic and international study. Growing demand for Qatari graduates in public and private sectors.
What Needs to Happen
Reaching the upper target bound requires expanding vocational and technical education alongside university enrollment. Not all knowledge-economy roles require four-year degrees; applied technology, skilled trades, and professional certification pathways must be developed and valorised. Graduate employment outcomes must be tracked and fed back into programme design. Male enrollment, which lags female enrollment, requires targeted intervention. Online and blended learning formats can extend access without proportional infrastructure investment.