The UNESCO Higher Education Policy Observatory offers systematized, comparable information on national higher education systems worldwide. Designed as an interactive platform, it aims to support policymakers and researchers in analyzing global trends and informing policy design.
The Observatory presents two main types of indicators:
- Key policy indicators: These are categorical indicators that describe the structure and governance of national higher education systems. They cover topics such as regulatory frameworks, quality assurance, access policies, and student support mechanisms.
- Key statistical indicators: These indicators present internationally comparable statistical data sourced from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), covering metrics on higher education personnel, student enrolment, graduation, funding and expenditure, and international student mobility.
Methodology
UNESCO IESALC applies clear documentation standards to support transparency around all indicators in the Observatory. Definitions and data sources can be accessed via the “?” icons and other available explanation tools provided next to each indicator.
Data scope
- Policy indicators: Built from over 150 variables and 22,000 individual data points. They are collected and regularly updated by UNESCO IESALC.
- Statistical indicators: Based on over 80 variables and more than 140,000 data points provided by UNESCO UIS. Statistical indicators in the Observatory are either imported directly from UIS, or calculated by UNESCO IESALC based on indicators from UIS.
Aggregates from the world, income groups and regions
- Policy indicators: International aggregates and distributions are calculated by IESALC based only on countries currently included in the Observatory.
- Statistical indicators: Aggregates are provided by UIS or calculated based on UIS data, depending on the indicator. Data on aggregates is missing in the Observatory when this data is not provided by the UIS because of insufficient reporting.
Data sources
Policy indicators
All policy data come from official and public sources, including:
- National government websites and legal archives
- UNESCO archives
- Other authoritative sources such as the International Labor Organization (ILO)
Where available, links to source documents are provided. To ensure long-term access, these documents are also stored directly on the Observatory platform.
Statistical indicators
All statistical data are derived from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). Two main types of indicator sourcing are used:
- Direct import via the UIS API, marked as “Based on data from UIS”
- Calculation by UNESCO IESALC using UIS data, marked as “Calculation by UNESCO IESALC based on data from UIS”
Note: UIS uses the term "tertiary education" to refer to ISCED levels 5 to 8. The Observatory uses the terms "higher education" and "tertiary education" interchangeably to describe this level.
Country selection
Selection criteria
The initial phase of country inclusion was guided by two criteria:
- Language accessibility: Countries were prioritized where national documentation was available in languages spoken by IESALC analysts or supported by reliable translation tools.
- Size of the higher education system: Emphasis was placed on countries with large and significant systems to maximize policy relevance and data coverage.
Regional and income group classifications
Country regions are defined by the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). Income classifications follow the World Bank grouping, as of July 2024. See full lists of countries viewable in the observatory according to world regions and income groups.
Validation and updates of policy indicators
National validation process
In collaboration with UNESCO Field Offices, each country profile was submitted to relevant UNESCO National Commissions or higher education authorities for verification. Countries that have completed this process are marked with a “Validated” badge next to their name on profile and comparison pages.
Ongoing update process
The Observatory is regularly updated to reflect:
- New legislation and policy reforms
- Periodic regional reviews conducted by UNESCO IESALC and partners
- Feedback and corrections submitted by users, national authorities, or other stakeholders
To report incorrect, outdated, or missing data, users can contact: hepo@unesco.org.
Data release and update schedule
Policy Indicators
Updates to policy data are made on an ongoing basis. National authorities can submit revised information, which is reflected on the platform following verification. In addition, UNESCO IESALC conducts regular region-by-region reviews to systematically revisit and validate country information. This rotational process ensures that all countries included in the Observatory are reviewed approximately every two years.
The last general update took place in December 2023. By December 2025, UNESCO IESALC aims to have completed a full review of all countries included in the Observatory.
Statistical Indicators
UIS statistical data is released on varying schedules, with a major update typically in September each year. These indicators are automatically integrated into the platform through the UIS API.
Disclaimer
The data in the Higher Education Policy Observatory is drawn from official national sources and reflects the legislation and policies in place at the time of data collection and validation.
Scope and limitations
- The Observatory covers national-level data only and does not account for subnational (e.g., state or provincial) regulations.
- As education policies are constantly evolving, some entries may become outdated between review cycles.
Accuracy and user responsibility
UNESCO-IESALC works to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of the data. However, users are advised to verify specific entries, especially for countries that have not yet validated their data or for which considerable time has passed since the last update.
Contact us
We welcome engagement from users and stakeholders. Please contact hepo@unesco.org if you:
- Notice incorrect, outdated, or missing information
- Would like your country to be included in the Observatory
- Are interested in organizing a country-based platform demo or more in-depth capacity development workshop
- Wish to collaborate on new indicators or platform features
We look forward to hearing from you!
