Gross enrolment ratio

Geography glossary

Also called: GER · Topic: Human Development: Concept, Approaches and Measurement · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 3 "Human Development"

Meaning

The gross enrolment ratio (GER) is the total number of students enrolled at a level of education, of any age, shown as a percentage of the population in the official age group for that level. Because older or younger students are also counted, the GER can go above 100%. In NCERT's account of the HDI (the method used before 2010), the GER and the adult literacy rate together measure knowledge. The GER shows how easy it is to get into school or college.

Example

Suppose a district in India has 100 children of primary-school age, but 110 students are enrolled in primary classes because some are older children who repeated a class. Its primary GER would then be 110%.

Don't confuse with

  • Net enrolment ratio: the net ratio counts only students of the official age group, so it can never go above 100%. The gross ratio counts students of every age.

Related concepts

Read more