Definition of Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education ?
Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) is a statistical measure that represents the total number of students enrolled in higher education, regardless of age, expressed as a percentage of the total eligible population. In other words, it is the ratio of the number of students enrolled in higher education to the total population of the relevant age group (usually 18-23 years).
The GER is used as an indicator of the level of participation in higher education in a country. A high GER indicates a higher level of access to higher education, while a low GER indicates a lower level of access.
It is important to note that GER does not measure the quality of education or the effectiveness of the education system. It simply reflects the number of students enrolled in higher education as a percentage of the total population.
Meaning of Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education
Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education is a statistical measure used to represent the number of students enrolled in higher education institutions as a proportion of the total population of the age group that officially corresponds to higher education level in a given country. It is calculated by dividing the total number of enrolled students in higher education by the population of the age group that should be attending higher education, and then multiplying the result by 100.
GER is used as an indicator of the level of participation in higher education in a country, and it can provide insights into the level of demand for higher education, the accessibility of higher education, and the overall quality of the education system. Generally, a higher GER indicates that a larger proportion of the population is accessing higher education, which can have positive implications for economic growth, social mobility, and overall development. However, GER alone does not provide information about the quality or outcomes of education, and it should be complemented by other indicators and analysis.
How to calculate Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education in the country?
Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) is a commonly used measure of education participation and is calculated as the total enrolment in a level of education (e.g., higher education) expressed as a percentage of the eligible age group population for that level of education.
To calculate GER in higher education in a country, you will need to follow these steps:
- Determine the relevant age group: GER in higher education is typically calculated for the population aged 18-23 years. You will need to obtain the data for the number of individuals in this age group in the country.
- Obtain data on higher education enrolment: You will need to gather data on the total number of students enrolled in higher education institutions in the country.
- Calculate the Gross Enrolment Ratio: Divide the total number of students enrolled in higher education institutions by the number of individuals in the age group for higher education (18-23 years), and then multiply by 100 to express the result as a percentage. The formula for calculating GER is as follows:
GER in Higher Education = (Total Enrolment in Higher Education / Eligible Age Group Population) x 100
For example, if there are 2 million students enrolled in higher education institutions in a country and the eligible age group population for higher education is 5 million, the GER in higher education would be:
GER in Higher Education = (2,000,000 / 5,000,000) x 100 = 40%
Therefore, the GER in higher education in this country is 40%.