Education is a bedrock of every country’s development being a critical investment in human capital improvement that contributes economic growth, meeting basic needs, and promotes political participation.
Higher education provides a country not only the high-level skills necessary for every labour market but also the training essential for teachers, doctors, nurses, civil servants, engineers, humanists, entrepreneurs, scientists, social scientists, and a myriad of other personnel.
Here are the 15 countries of the world with the highest number of universities:
India: India with a population of more than 1.44 billion has the most universities worldwide. According to statistics report India has an estimate of 5,349 universities.
India literacy rate for 2022 was 76.32percent. Adult literacy rate is the percentage of people ages 15 and above who can both read and write with understanding a short simple statement about their everyday life.
Indonesia: With over 279 million people, Indonesia is the second country with most number of universities, counting 3,277.
As of 2023, around 40 percent of Indonesians aged 15 years and above had completed senior high school or more. On the other hand, approximately 3.4 percent of Indonesians never went to school.
USA: The United States of America with a population of over 341.6 million has 3,180 universities.
The US ranks 36th in literacy. On average, 79 percent of U.S. adults nationwide are literate in 2024. 21percent of adults in the US are illiterate in 2024.
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China: China with a population of over 1.5 billion is the fourth country with the highest number of universities. The country has a total of 2,495 tertiary institutions.
The proportion of Chinese people who are scientifically literate reached 14.1 percent last year, up 1.2 percentage points from 2022. The literacy rate reached 99.83percent in 2021.
Brazil: With a population of over 217 million, Brazil has 1,264 universities.
Brazil’s literacy rate for 2022 was 94.69 percent; the country’s high literacy rates are foundational in its primary education which is free and compulsory. Hence, many citizens, even those from poor families, have access to primary education.
Mexico: The country with a population of 129 million has 1,139 universities, and is the sixth country with most tertiary institutions in the world. In 2020, Mexico’s literacy rate was around 95.25 percent.
Russia: Russia has a population of over 144 million with 1,010 universities. Because of a strong literary tradition and a deep commitment to education, Russia had a highly educated population by the end of the 20th century.
Today, nearly two-thirds of 25 to 34 year olds have completed post-secondary studies, along with just over half of 55 to 64-year-olds, well above the OECD averages.
Japan: With a population of over 123 million, Japan has a total of 992 universities to stand out as the eighth country with the highest number of universities.
Japan’s adult literacy rate is at around 99 percent. The country’s approach to education accompanied by regular reviewing and testing – has proved hugely successful in establishing basic academic skills among pupils.
Read also: Countries with the highest number of international students
France: France has a total of 625 universities with a population of about 68.4 million.
The French education system has a reputation for high academic standards, making it an excellent choice for families who want to ensure their children receive a top-notch education.
The French system is rigorous and demanding, which can help students develop a strong work ethic and a commitment to academic excellence.
Germany: The population of Germany stood at 83.28 million, the country has a total of 461 universities.
Germany has a 99 percent literacy rate for people over the age of 15. Today, the schools are overseen primarily by the German states, with little federal government influence.
Iran: With a population of over 89.81 million, Iran has a total of 440 universities. The country’s literacy rate is 86.9 percent of adult population aged 15 years and above who are able to read and write.
Poland: The population of Poland stood at 40.57 million, and the country has a total of 408 universities.
The Polish education system is ranked fifth in Europe and 10th in the world, and the last decade has seen rising grades across the board, including literacy, numeracy, science, and foreign languages.
South Korea: South Korea with a population of 51.7 million has a 401 universities. The country stands out as the most educated country globally, with a literacy rate of 97.9 percent in 2024.
Its high percentage of higher education graduates among OECD countries was reached in 2022 when approximately 70 percent of the population between the ages of 25 and 34 had completed their college education.
Canada: The country has a population of over 39.1million with 383 universities. According to a 2022 report by the OECD, Canada is the most educated country in the world; the country ranks first worldwide in the percentage of adults having tertiary education, with over 57 percent of Canadian adults having attained at least an undergraduate college or university degree.
Philippines: Philippines with a population of over 119 million has a total of 366 universities. Literacy rate for the adult female population is 96.79percent (36,979,425 persons). 1,226,407 are illiterate.
Youth literacy rates are 96.98 percent and 98.94percent for males and females respectively. The overall youth literacy rate is 97.94percent.
