The UNESCO Higher Education (HE) Policy Observatory displays systematized and comparable information on higher education systems around the world at the national level. The main dimensions covered by the observatory are HE governance structures, regulatory frameworks, quality assurance regimes, stated purposes of higher education, key principles to access HE, cost of HE and student support programs, admission pathways and policies for the recognition of foreign qualifications. This interactive database aims to be a useful tool for HE policymakers and researchers on HE legislation and policy on a global scale.
Methodology
UNESCO-IESALC has taken a series of measures to provide publicly available data aligned with the HE Policy Observatory indicators. Definitions of the indicators can be found by clicking on the “Explanation” button next to each indicator. Collection and validation processes for obtaining data are described below.
The indicators presented on this platform rely on a set of more than 150 variables and 22.000 single data points.
Aggregate results and proportions presented on the platform for the entire world, world regions or income groups, are computed based only on the countries integrated in the Higher Education Policy Observatory database.
Data Sources
All the data in the Higher Education Policy Observatory is publicly available. Data sources include official public sources such as government websites and legal archives, UNESCO archives, and other official external sources such as the International Labor Organization (ILO). Links to webpages and documents are provided for users of the Observatory. Public official documents are stored directly on the HE Policy Observatory platform to ensure the stability of these links.
Documents and official websites in different languages were analyzed by UNESCO IESALC analysts with advanced languages competences and, in exceptional cases, online translation services. Countries for which the collection of information is limited by language constraints and inaccessibility of translation solutions are indicated.
Country Selection
UNESCO-IESALC aims to eventually include all UNESCO member states in the Observatory and continues to collect data for countries not yet integrated in the database. For the first phase, the selection of countries to integrate in the database was driven by two key criteria:
- Prioritization was given to languages in which national resources are readily accessible—either spoken by UNESCO IESALC analysts or supported by reliable online translation services. This ensures efficient and comprehensive retrieval of relevant information.
- Country size, with priority given to the largest HE system to optimize the breadth and significance of information collected.
Country regions are defined by the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) and the classification by income groups used is the one established by the World Bank in July 2022. See full lists of countries viewable in the observatory according to world regions and income groups.
Validation Process
In partnership with UNESCO Field Offices across the world, each set of country information was sent for verification to the UNESCO National Commission and/or relevant national authorities responsible for the HE system. Countries for which the national information was verified are indicated in the HE Policy Observatory through a badge with the expression “Validated” next to their name on the Country Profile and Country Comparison pages. Countries represented in the HE Policy Observatory can still validate the national data presented on the platform, so this information is likely to evolve over time. Besides, the variables and indicators in the HE Policy Observatory are likely to change over time as new legislations are adopted. Country Officials and higher education stakeholders are welcome to report any incorrect, obsolete or incomplete data or suggestions for data updates at any point using this feedback form.
Data Releases
UNESCO-IESALC, in partnership with UNESCO Field Offices and external partners, consistently monitors policy changes around the world and collects information on relevant aspects of HE systems.
The database is updated regularly to reflect the latest changes in countries across all world regions. The last general update of the database of the HE Policy Observatory took place in December 2023. Future updates will be made as feedback is received, and through regular reviews of country profiles on a rotating basis.
Disclaimer
The data presented in the Higher Education Policy Observatory has been diligently sourced from official and public references at the national level, reflecting legislations and plans adopted by public authorities. The information presented does not encompass regulations at subnational levels (e.g., provinces, states, regions) that might govern higher education systems.
UNESCO-IESALC strives to provide accurate and up-to-date information on different dimensions of higher education systems that are evolving by nature. Some countries are in the process of validating the national information displayed in the policy observatory, and others are anticipated to introduce reforms to their higher education systems.
Given the dynamic nature of legislative frameworks, changes to national legislations may require some delay to be reflected in the HE Policy Observatory. Users are therefore encouraged to verify the status and ongoing applicability of policies and legislations, particularly for countries that have not undergone validation or if a significant amount of time has elapsed since the last update of the country information.
Contact details
Do you wish to report incorrect, incomplete or outdated information displayed in the HE Policy Observatory?
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