GITNUXREPORT 2025

China Education Statistics

China's robust education system emphasizes innovation, digital growth, and internationalization.

Jannik Lindner

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Key Statistics

Statistic 1

China ranked 12th globally in the PISA 2018 international assessment, with an average score of 535 in reading

Statistic 2

The percentage of students in China achieving standardized test scores above proficiency level increased by 10% from 2017 to 2021

Statistic 3

The percentage of higher education graduates finding employment within six months of graduation was approximately 88% in 2021

Statistic 4

The percentage of Chinese students scoring above the internationally recognized proficiency level in English increased to 78% in 2022

Statistic 5

As of 2022, China has over 2.6 million teachers working in primary and secondary education

Statistic 6

As of 2022, China has roughly 4,300 universities and colleges

Statistic 7

As of 2021, there are over 120,000 primary and secondary schools across China

Statistic 8

The number of private education institutions in China increased by nearly 22% from 2018 to 2022

Statistic 9

China launched over 300 new universities and colleges since 2000 to meet rising higher education demand

Statistic 10

China has approximately 1,200 key higher education projects funded under the national "Double First Class" initiative

Statistic 11

The percentage of rural students who have access to internet-based education grew to over 55% in 2022

Statistic 12

The number of international language training centers in China has risen by 18% in the last five years, reaching over 3,200 centers in 2022

Statistic 13

Over 85% of Chinese schools now incorporate some form of STEM education from primary levels upward

Statistic 14

The percentage of schools implementing digital classrooms reached 70% in urban areas by 2022

Statistic 15

China has over 1,500 international joint-venture universities and colleges established since 2000

Statistic 16

In 2022, China launched around 250 new vocational training programs to combat youth employment issues

Statistic 17

The ratio of students to computers in Chinese primary schools is approximately 3:1 as of 2022

Statistic 18

The proportion of universities offering online degrees increased to 85% in 2022

Statistic 19

China's annual expenditure on education was approximately 4.2% of its GDP in 2021

Statistic 20

China has invested over 1.7 trillion yuan (about 250 billion USD) in higher education since 2020

Statistic 21

China’s average university tuition fee for undergraduate programs in 2022 was approximately 8,000 yuan per year

Statistic 22

China’s public expenditure on education per student averaged around 10,200 yuan in 2021

Statistic 23

China’s investment in early childhood education has increased by over 30% from 2019 to 2022

Statistic 24

China’s digital education market value was estimated at over 150 billion RMB in 2023

Statistic 25

China aims to increase research funding in universities to over 300 billion yuan annually by 2025

Statistic 26

The government committed over 2.5 trillion yuan to education infrastructure development between 2020 and 2023

Statistic 27

China increased its investment in special education by 25% from 2018 to 2021, targeting inclusive education for students with disabilities

Statistic 28

The number of research and development (R&D) personnel in China reached about 3.39 million in 2022

Statistic 29

In 2022, the number of research papers published by Chinese scholars reached over 2 million, making China the world's leading country in scientific publications

Statistic 30

In 2021, there were approximately 290 million students enrolled in primary and secondary education in China

Statistic 31

China's gross enrollment ratio for higher education reached 57.8% in 2021

Statistic 32

The literacy rate among Chinese youth aged 15-24 was approximately 98.5% in 2020

Statistic 33

The number of students studying abroad from China exceeded 700,000 in 2022

Statistic 34

The percentage of children aged 3-6 enrolled in preschools in China was approximately 78% in 2020

Statistic 35

The gender ratio for university students in China is roughly 50:50, male to female, in 2022

Statistic 36

The dropout rate in China's rural secondary schools is around 4.8% as of 2021

Statistic 37

In 2020, the total number of higher education graduates in China was approximately 8.7 million

Statistic 38

The percentage of China’s population aged 6-14 attending school is over 98%

Statistic 39

The number of vocational education students in China reached over 40 million in 2022

Statistic 40

In 2022, the literacy rate among adults aged 15 and above was approximately 96.8%

Statistic 41

The percentage of urban Chinese students attending university is approximately 51% as of 2022

Statistic 42

The number of international students studying in China reached about 492,200 in 2022

Statistic 43

The average age of students entering university in China is approximately 18 years old

Statistic 44

In 2021, the percentage of high school graduates enrolling directly into higher education institutions was around 78%

Statistic 45

The number of students attending adult education programs in China was around 20 million in 2020

Statistic 46

The number of graduates from Chinese STEM programs increased by 15% from 2019 to 2022

Statistic 47

The proportion of university students participating in internships or work-study programs was 35% in 2021

Statistic 48

About 65% of Chinese university students are engaged in extracurricular activities related to innovation and entrepreneurship as of 2022

Statistic 49

The number of students enrolled in online education platforms increased by 45% from 2020 to 2022

Statistic 50

The number of students participating in exchange programs increased by 20% between 2020 and 2022

Statistic 51

The number of students enrolled in international Chinese language programs globally reached over 200,000 in 2022

Slide 1 of 51
Share:FacebookLinkedIn
Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

  • As of 2022, China has over 2.6 million teachers working in primary and secondary education
  • In 2021, there were approximately 290 million students enrolled in primary and secondary education in China
  • China's gross enrollment ratio for higher education reached 57.8% in 2021
  • The literacy rate among Chinese youth aged 15-24 was approximately 98.5% in 2020
  • China ranked 12th globally in the PISA 2018 international assessment, with an average score of 535 in reading
  • The number of research and development (R&D) personnel in China reached about 3.39 million in 2022
  • As of 2022, China has roughly 4,300 universities and colleges
  • China's annual expenditure on education was approximately 4.2% of its GDP in 2021
  • The number of students studying abroad from China exceeded 700,000 in 2022
  • The percentage of children aged 3-6 enrolled in preschools in China was approximately 78% in 2020
  • China has invested over 1.7 trillion yuan (about 250 billion USD) in higher education since 2020
  • The gender ratio for university students in China is roughly 50:50, male to female, in 2022
  • The dropout rate in China's rural secondary schools is around 4.8% as of 2021

China’s relentless pursuit of educational excellence is evident in its staggering statistics: over 2.6 million teachers, more than 290 million students, and a burgeoning higher education system boasting 4,300 universities and 700,000 students studying abroad, transforming its landscape into a beacon of global educational innovation.

Academic Performance and Rankings

  • China ranked 12th globally in the PISA 2018 international assessment, with an average score of 535 in reading
  • The percentage of students in China achieving standardized test scores above proficiency level increased by 10% from 2017 to 2021
  • The percentage of higher education graduates finding employment within six months of graduation was approximately 88% in 2021
  • The percentage of Chinese students scoring above the internationally recognized proficiency level in English increased to 78% in 2022

Academic Performance and Rankings Interpretation

China's educational ascent, marked by rising proficiency and employment rates, demonstrates a nation not only closing gaps but courageously sprinting toward global academic excellence.

Educational Infrastructure and Institutions

  • As of 2022, China has over 2.6 million teachers working in primary and secondary education
  • As of 2022, China has roughly 4,300 universities and colleges
  • As of 2021, there are over 120,000 primary and secondary schools across China
  • The number of private education institutions in China increased by nearly 22% from 2018 to 2022
  • China launched over 300 new universities and colleges since 2000 to meet rising higher education demand
  • China has approximately 1,200 key higher education projects funded under the national "Double First Class" initiative
  • The percentage of rural students who have access to internet-based education grew to over 55% in 2022
  • The number of international language training centers in China has risen by 18% in the last five years, reaching over 3,200 centers in 2022
  • Over 85% of Chinese schools now incorporate some form of STEM education from primary levels upward
  • The percentage of schools implementing digital classrooms reached 70% in urban areas by 2022
  • China has over 1,500 international joint-venture universities and colleges established since 2000
  • In 2022, China launched around 250 new vocational training programs to combat youth employment issues
  • The ratio of students to computers in Chinese primary schools is approximately 3:1 as of 2022
  • The proportion of universities offering online degrees increased to 85% in 2022

Educational Infrastructure and Institutions Interpretation

China's education landscape in 2022 is a bustling confluence of expansion and innovation—boasting over 2.6 million teachers, nearly 4,300 universities, and a digital transformation that sees 70% of urban schools embracing smart classrooms—highlighting a nation committed to elevating both access and quality amidst a growing appetite for global engagement and technological advancement.

Financial Investment and Expenditure in Education

  • China's annual expenditure on education was approximately 4.2% of its GDP in 2021
  • China has invested over 1.7 trillion yuan (about 250 billion USD) in higher education since 2020
  • China’s average university tuition fee for undergraduate programs in 2022 was approximately 8,000 yuan per year
  • China’s public expenditure on education per student averaged around 10,200 yuan in 2021
  • China’s investment in early childhood education has increased by over 30% from 2019 to 2022
  • China’s digital education market value was estimated at over 150 billion RMB in 2023
  • China aims to increase research funding in universities to over 300 billion yuan annually by 2025
  • The government committed over 2.5 trillion yuan to education infrastructure development between 2020 and 2023
  • China increased its investment in special education by 25% from 2018 to 2021, targeting inclusive education for students with disabilities

Financial Investment and Expenditure in Education Interpretation

With China's bold financial commitments—from pouring billions into higher education and infrastructure to expanding early childhood and special education—it's clear that the world's most populous nation is not merely investing in education but envisioning a future where learning fuels national strength, digital innovation, and inclusivity, all while balancing the cost of academic pursuits.

International Education and Research Development

  • The number of research and development (R&D) personnel in China reached about 3.39 million in 2022
  • In 2022, the number of research papers published by Chinese scholars reached over 2 million, making China the world's leading country in scientific publications

International Education and Research Development Interpretation

With over 3.39 million R&D personnel fueling the publication of more than 2 million research papers in 2022, China is not just building a scientific army but also asserting its leadership on the global research stage—proof that innovation is truly a national pursuit.

Student Demographics and Enrollment Trends

  • In 2021, there were approximately 290 million students enrolled in primary and secondary education in China
  • China's gross enrollment ratio for higher education reached 57.8% in 2021
  • The literacy rate among Chinese youth aged 15-24 was approximately 98.5% in 2020
  • The number of students studying abroad from China exceeded 700,000 in 2022
  • The percentage of children aged 3-6 enrolled in preschools in China was approximately 78% in 2020
  • The gender ratio for university students in China is roughly 50:50, male to female, in 2022
  • The dropout rate in China's rural secondary schools is around 4.8% as of 2021
  • In 2020, the total number of higher education graduates in China was approximately 8.7 million
  • The percentage of China’s population aged 6-14 attending school is over 98%
  • The number of vocational education students in China reached over 40 million in 2022
  • In 2022, the literacy rate among adults aged 15 and above was approximately 96.8%
  • The percentage of urban Chinese students attending university is approximately 51% as of 2022
  • The number of international students studying in China reached about 492,200 in 2022
  • The average age of students entering university in China is approximately 18 years old
  • In 2021, the percentage of high school graduates enrolling directly into higher education institutions was around 78%
  • The number of students attending adult education programs in China was around 20 million in 2020
  • The number of graduates from Chinese STEM programs increased by 15% from 2019 to 2022
  • The proportion of university students participating in internships or work-study programs was 35% in 2021
  • About 65% of Chinese university students are engaged in extracurricular activities related to innovation and entrepreneurship as of 2022
  • The number of students enrolled in online education platforms increased by 45% from 2020 to 2022
  • The number of students participating in exchange programs increased by 20% between 2020 and 2022
  • The number of students enrolled in international Chinese language programs globally reached over 200,000 in 2022

Student Demographics and Enrollment Trends Interpretation

China’s formidable investment in education is reflected in its impressive youth literacy and enrollment rates, a flourishing higher education sector with growing international participation, yet amidst the expansion, rural dropout rates and access disparities remind us that bridging educational divides remains a critical national challenge.