Brazil faces high higher education dropout rates

Brazil is struggling with significant dropout rates in higher education, according to data from the 2024 Higher Education Census by Inep. While access to universities has expanded through private institutions, distance learning, and public financing policies, many students fail to complete their degrees.

The dropout rates vary significantly by modality: 21.25% for in-person courses and a substantial 57.39% for distance learning (EAD). This trend highlights a critical gap between increasing enrollment and ensuring student retention, particularly for those from lower-income families.