Industry Statistics and Trends
Higher Education in Europe key trends
Universities have gone digital.
Since the COVID-19 outbreak, universities have expanded their online educational tools to complement face-to-face teaching.
Universities are dependent on government funds.
State funding is instrumental for higher education institutions, with donations and personal financing by students only small contributors.
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Higher Education in Europe
Industry Revenue
Total value and annual change from 2011-2029. Includes 5-year outlook.
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Higher Education in Europe market size (2019-2024)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 2.2 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €137.9bn in 2024.
Trends and Insights
Universities rely heavily on government funding to keep their doors open
- According to the European Tertiary Education Register, while efforts have been made to boost revenue from students and companies, most European higher education institutions receive two-thirds of financing from government funding and support.
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Higher Education in Europe outlook (2024-2029)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Upping higher education attainment levels will be a target in the next decade
- European governments are putting greater emphasis on higher education due to growing skill gaps in the labour market. The increased demand for highly skilled individuals in the labour market will encourage attendance at higher education colleges.
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Revenue
€137.9bn
Employees
1m
Wages
€XX.Xbn
European Leaders & Laggards
Top 5 Countries
Bottom 5 Countries
* CAGR values are for the years 2019-2024.
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Biggest companies in the Higher Education in Europe
| Company | Market Share (%)
2024 | Revenue (€m)
2024 | Profit (€m)
2024 | Profit Margin (%)
2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
The University of Cambridge | 3,022.1 | 465.5 | 15.4 | |
The University of Oxford | 3,644.1 | 31.2 | 0.9 | |
University College London | 2,287.5 | 97.5 | 4.3 |
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Higher Education in Europe
Products & Services Segmentation
Industry revenue broken down by key product and services lines.
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Top Questions Answered in this Report
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What is the market size of the Higher Education industry in Europe in 2024?
The market size of the Higher Education industry in Europe is €137.9bn in 2024.
How many businesses are there in the Higher Education in Europe industry in 2024?
There are 5,150 businesses in the Higher Education industry in Europe, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.7 % between 2019 and 2024.
Has the Higher Education industry in Europe grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Higher Education industry in Europe has been declining at a CAGR of 2.2 % between 2019 and 2024.
What is the forecast growth of the Higher Education industry in Europe over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Higher Education industry in Europe is expected to grow.
What does the Higher Education in Europe include?
Bachelor’s degree and Taught and research master's degrees are part of the Higher Education industry.
How competitive is the Higher Education industry in Europe?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Higher Education industry in Europe.
Related Industries
This industry is covered in 37 countries
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Higher education is tertiary education that leads to the award of an academic degree from universities or further education colleges. It offers students qualifications including bachelor’s degrees, foundation degrees, master’s degrees and higher education diplomas. Operators in this industry provide full and part-time teaching and training, leading to undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications.
Related Terms
POSTGRADUATEUNDERGRADUATEHIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION (HEI)What's included in this industry?
Bachelor’s degreeTaught and research master's degreesDoctoral degreesCompanies
The University of CambridgeThe University of OxfordUniversity College LondonIndustry Code
853 - Higher education in Europe
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Performance
Key Takeaways
Universities rely heavily on government funding to keep their doors open
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Revenue Highlights
Trends
- Revenue
- 2024 Revenue Growth
- Revenue Volatility
Employment Highlights
Trends
- Employees
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Employee
Business Highlights
Trends
- Businesses
- Employees per Business
- Revenue per Business
Profit Highlights
Trends
- Total Profit
- Profit Margin
- Profit per Business
Current Performance
Charts
- Revenue in the Higher Education in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
- Employees in the Higher Education in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
- Business in the Higher Education in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
- Profit in the Higher Education in Europe industry (2011 -2029)
Analysis
What's driving current industry performance in the Higher Education in Europe industry?
Outlook
Analysis
What's driving the Higher Education in Europe industry outlook?
Volatility
Analysis
What influences volatility in the Higher Education in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth Matrix
Life Cycle
Analysis
What determines the industry life cycle stage in the Higher Education in Europe industry?
Charts
- Industry Life Cycle Matrix
Products and Markets
Highlights
Trends
- Largest Market
- Product Innovation
Key Takeaways
Bachelor's degrees are universities' most popular offerings. They’re the most popular among young school leavers, though plenty of mature students also enrol in first-degree courses to upskill and improve employability.
Products and Services
Charts
- Products and Services Segmentation
Analysis
How are the Higher Education in Europe industry's products and services performing?
Analysis
What are innovations in the Higher Education in Europe industry's products and services?
Major Markets
Charts
- Major Market Segmentation
Analysis
What influences demand in the Higher Education in Europe industry?
International Trade
Highlights
- Total Imports into Europe
- Total Exports into Europe
Heat maps
- Industry Concentration of Imports by Country
- Industry Concentration of Exports by Country
Data Tables
Value and annual change (%) included
- Number of Imports and Exports by European Country (2024)
Geographic Breakdown
Business Locations
Heat maps
- Share of Total Industry Revenue by Region (2024)
- Share of Total Industry Enterprises by Region (2024)
- Share of Total Industry Employment by Region (2024)
- Share of Total Industry Wages by Region (2024)
Industry Geographic Breakdown
Data Tables
Values and annual change provided for 37 European countries:
- Revenue (2024)
- IVA (2024)
- Enterprises (2024)
- Employment (2024)
- Exports (2024)
- Imports (2024)
Competitive Forces
Highlights
Trends
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
Key Takeaways
All universities and colleges have a limited number of places. The selection process results in a fairly even distribution of students. This limits the ability of anyone higher education institution to dominate the scene.
Supply Chain
Charts
Buyer and supply industries
Companies
Market Share
Charts
- Industry Market Share by Company (2019-2024)
Companies
Data Tables
Top 10 companies by market share:
- Market share (2024)
- Revenue (2024)
- Profit (2024)
- Profit Margin (2024)
Data Tables
- Countries of operation for The University of Cambridge
- Countries of operation for The University of Oxford
- Countries of operation for University College London
- Countries of operation for Ludwig-Maximilians - Universität München
- Countries of operation for ETH Zurich
- Countries of operation for Imperial College London
- Countries of operation for University of Manchester
- Countries of operation for Utrecht University
- Countries of operation for University of Amsterdam
- Countries of operation for University of Copenhagen
External Environment
Highlights
Trends
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key Takeaways
There are strict regulations for universities to follow. Higher education standards and quality are closely monitored with expectations for degree award standards, fair admission systems and teaching quality.
External Drivers
Analysis
What demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the Higher Education in Europe industry?
Financial Benchmarks
Highlights
Trends
- Profit Margin
- Average Wage
- Largest Cost
Key Takeaways
Profit’s low since most colleges operate on a not-for-profit basis. They receive funding from governments and reinvest their surplus revenue back into providing education and training.
Cost Structure
Charts
- Share of Economy vs. Investment Matrix
-
Industry Cost Structure Benchmarks:
- Marketing
- Depreciation
- Profit
- Purchases
- Wages
- Rent
- Utilities
- Other
Analysis
What trends impact cost in the Higher Education in Europe industry?
Key Ratios
Data tables
- IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
- Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
- Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
- Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
- Average Wage (2014-2029)
Country Benchmarks
European Leaders & Laggards
Data Tables
Top and boottom five countries listed for each:
- Revenue Growth (2024)
- Business Growth (2024)
- Job Growth (2024)
European Country Performance
Data Tables
Rankings available for 37 countries. Statistics ranked include:
- IVA/Revenue (2024)
- Imports/Demand (2024)
- Exports/Revenue (2024)
- Revenue per Employee (2024)
- Wages/Revenue (2024)
- Employees per Establishment (2024)
- Average Wage (2024)
Structural Comparison
Data Tables
Trends in 37 countries benchmarked against trends in Europe
- Concentration
- Competition
- Barriers to Entry
- Buyer Power
- Supplier Power
- Volatility
- Capital Intensity
- Innovation
- Life Cycle
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2014-2029)
- IVA (2014-2029)
- Establishments (2014-2029)
- Enterprises (2014-2029)
- Employment (2014-2029)
- Exports (2014-2029)
- Imports (2014-2029)
- Wages (2014-2029)
Methodology
Where does IBISWorld source its data?
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Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and IBISWorld's proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
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