Emerging Economies More Likely to Earn Degrees Online

A survey among 21 countries carried out by Statista Consumer Insights has found that respondents from emerging economies are more likely to be working towards a degree online. 21 percent in South Africa, 19 percent in India and 12 percent in Brazil said they had done so in the 12 months prior to the survey. Academic online education was also popular in Australia at 8 percent and the U.S. at 7 percent, while in European countries as well as Japan, fewer engaged in the practice. China also only had a share of 7 percent saying they had done degree-related coursework online recently.

Preference for online education in emerging economies could have to do with less availability of suitable programs nearby, a more fragmented higher education landscape with many smaller operators or the necessity of many to work while in school. For older, non-traditional students or those returning to school, an online degree is often more suitable, especially if sticking with one's job while enrolling.