Universal access to higher education: Trends, barriers and drivers

This paper develops a global analysis on access to higher education and how it has evolved between 2000 and 2018, and the associated drivers and impediments to its achievement. The paper also addresses the concept of higher education’s importance to human, social and economic development, as well as from a human rights’ perspective. The study draws from a two-pronged methodology. First, a data analysis on the main indicators used to monitor access to higher education, disaggregated by region, gender and income group. Secondly, a comprehensive literature review on the drivers and barriers to achieving access to higher education. This access has increased globally, however, stark differences are noticed at region, gender, and income-group level. Economic development of nations and the rise of middle-class aspirations, the growth of private institutions and the expansion of distance education institutions have been major contributors to this increase in access. Poverty, crises, adverse institutional admission practices and the location of institutions pose continuous challenges to universal access. A combination of policies and actions can be adopted and taken by national governments and higher education institutions to further increase access, taking into particular account populations which are falling behind.