BEIJING, April 7 -- China has more university students than any other country, with 37 million enrolled in 2,852 higher education institutions, according to a report released by the Ministry of Education on Thursday.

The gross enrollment rate of higher education in China is 40 percent, above the global average, said the report, which predicted the rate will rise to 50 percent by 2019.

The ministry noted that revenue from higher education and the government's budget in this area in 2013 was 3.6 times and 4.9 times higher, respectively, than in 2003.

The report was based on feedback from more than 4,000 experts, 700 higher education institutes, and over 200,000 questionnaires, as well as other statistics.

Wu Yan, director of the ministry's Higher Education Evaluation Center said a surge in the number of universities had met demand for higher education and helped cultivate talent for all trades and professions.

However, compared with world powers in higher education, China lags behind in quality of education, Wu added.

The report noted several shortcomings China faces in higher education, such as lack of success in transferring scientific research into tangible results, lack of initiative and entrepreneurial spirit in teaching, and insufficient funding.