Indonesia Set to Become World’s Third-Largest University System by 2035, Surpassing U.S. and Brazil

Indonesia is rapidly establishing itself as a global hotspot for higher education, driven by a surge in university enrollment and a growing population of students of college age. According to a new analysis by the Times Higher Education data team, Indonesia is projected to become the world’s third-largest university system by 2035, surpassing both the United States and Brazil, and trailing only China and India in total student population. This shift signals a major realignment in global higher education demand.

The country is expected to add approximately 4.3 million new university students over the next decade, bringing its total higher education population to around 13 million. This rapid expansion is fueled by rising participation rates, a youthful demographic, and increasing demand for advanced skills to meet the needs of a competitive economy. Enrollment growth spans all levels of higher education, from undergraduate to master’s and doctoral programs, reflecting a national emphasis on skill development and workforce readiness.

In contrast, the United States faces demographic and structural challenges that limit its growth. While college participation rates are increasing, the overall number of college-age students is shrinking, older learners are enrolling at lower rates, and population growth is insufficient to maintain long-term enrollment expansion. Consequently, even though U.S. universities remain highly influential academically, their share of global enrollment is declining.

Indonesia’s rapid rise highlights the shifting dynamics of global higher education, with emerging economies increasingly shaping the future of student populations and international academic demand.