The line graph illustrates the proportion of 18-25 year olds enrolled in universities across Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand between 1961 and 2011.
Overall, all four countries experienced an upward trend in university attendance over the fifty-year period, with the Philippines and Thailand showing the most dramatic growth by 2011. While Singapore initially led the group, it was eventually overtaken by other nations.
In 1961, Thailand and Singapore had the highest university attendance rates at 24% and 15% respectively. Singapore’s figure fluctuated significantly, peaking at 36% in 1991 before dipping to 34% in 2001 and ending at 40% in 2011. Conversely, Thailand’s rate saw a gradual decline to 20% by 1991, followed by a sharp surge to reach 42% by the end of the period.
The Philippines and Malaysia started with lower participation rates of 7% and 2% in 1961. Malaysia experienced steady growth, plateauing at 15% from 1991 to 2011. Meanwhile, the Philippines saw a remarkable transformation, particularly after 1991, where the rate jumped from 15% to 30% in 2001, eventually matching Thailand at 42% in 2011, making them the countries with the highest university attendance.