How Many Students Take the IB? November 2023 Numbers at a Glance
Wondering how big the International Baccalaureate really is? New data from the November 2023 Statistical Bulletin shows 20,266 students registered worldwide—here’s the breakdown, the trend, and why the May session makes the total IB cohort far larger.
How Many Students Take the IB? November 2023 Numbers Explained
If you’ve ever asked “Just how many people actually do the IB?” the International Baccalaureate’s own statistics have the answer. The latest figures come from the IB Diploma Programme Final Statistical Bulletin – November 2023 Assessment Session.
The Headline Figure
20,266 students registered for the IB Diploma Programme (DP) in the November 2023 session.
That’s a 12 % jump on the 18,068 candidates in November 2022, marking the strongest post‑pandemic recovery for a November cohort.
Where Do Those 20,266 Students Fit?
| Category of Registration | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course (individual subjects) | 2,726 | 3,010 | 2,923 | 3,364 | 3,074 |
| DP Diploma (full programme) | 16,378 | 16,613 | 13,891 | 14,704 | 17,192 |
| • Anticipated* | 990 | 1,299 | 855 | 864 | 987 |
| • Diploma | 12,845 | 12,697 | 11,730 | 11,743 | 13,201 |
| • Retake | 2,543 | 2,617 | 1,306 | 2,097 | 3,004 |
| Total | 19,104 | 19,623 | 16,814 | 18,068 | 20,266 |
*Anticipated candidates sit selected subjects a year early.
Key Take‑aways
- Full‑Diploma Demand Rebounds – The number of students aiming for the complete IB Diploma (17,192) is not only higher than 2022 but exceeds pre‑COVID 2020 levels.
- Retake Surge – Retake entries rose to 3,004, suggesting many students are leveraging the flexible assessment routes introduced during the pandemic.
- Course‑Only Option Holds Steady – Roughly one in seven November candidates takes a single IB subject rather than the full diploma, ideal for students topping up local qualifications.
But Isn’t There a May Session, Too?
Absolutely. November data largely comes from schools in the southern hemisphere (Australia, parts of Asia, South America, Africa). The May session whic are dominated by schools in Europe, North America and much of Asia—is four to five times larger, typically pushing the annual global DP cohort at 180,000 students.
The November bulletin therefore gives only part of the global picture, but it’s a useful barometer of IB growth in regions that finish the academic year in November/December.
Why the Numbers Matter
- University Admissions – Rising diploma entries mean more competition for places that accept IB as a benchmark.
- Curriculum Planning – Growth drives demand for qualified IB teachers and supporting resources.
- Equity & Access – Monitoring anticipated and retake entries helps the IB evaluate how students re‑engage with the programme post‑pandemic.
Explore the Full Report
For granular stats on grades, subject popularity, and regional performance, download the complete PDF here:
IB Diploma Programme Final Statistical Bulletin – November 2023.
Bottom Line
20,266 students sat for IB assessments in November 2023—proof the programme is not just recovering but expanding. Add the forthcoming May figures, and the IB’s global footprint continues to rival national curricula, preparing over 180,000 learners a year for universities worldwide.
