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International Baccalaureate Program

Facts about IB programmes and schools

The IB offers four programmes for students aged 3 to 19. The programmes can be offered individually or as a continuum. 

Number of schools offering IB programmes

On 6 November 2018, there were 6,425 programmes being offered worldwide, across 4,954 schools in 153 countries. 

Number of IB World Schools in each IB regionThe AmericasAfrica, Europe, MiddleEastAsia-Pacific17.7%23.2%59.1%
IB region Number of IB World Schools
The Americas 2,931
Africa, Europe, Middle East 1,149
Asia-Pacific 880
 

 

Number of IB programmes offered in different countries

Number of IB programmes taught in each regionThe AmericasAfrica, Europe, MiddleEastAsia-Pacific20.2%25.8%54%
IB region Number of IB World Schools
The Americas 3,470
Africa, Europe, Middle East 1,656
Asia-Pacific 1,299
 

There are schools teaching IB programmes around the world. For further information on the number of schools in a particular country, please use the country search.

Growth in number of IB programmes

Between 2012 and 2017, the number of IB programmes offered worldwide has grown by 39.3%.

IB programmes: five-year growth20122013201420152016201701,0002,0003,0004,000
Year Primary Years Programme Middle years Programme Diploma Programme Career Certificate
2012 989 976 2,346 41
2013 1,117 1,034 2,447 62
2014 1,227 1,127 2,677 87
2015 1,324 1,213 2,882 114
2016 1,440 1,327 3,050 140
2017 1,468 1,354 3,101 141
 

Facts about the organization

A foundation registered in Switzerland, the IB is non-profit. It is governed by an elected 17-member Board of Governors, which appoints the Director General, sets the strategic direction of the organization, adopts a mission statement, makes policy, oversees the IB's financial management, and ensures the autonomy and integrity of IB Diploma Programme examinations and other student assessment. Board membership represents cultural and geographical diversity.

The main sources of IB income are:

  • authorization and evaluation fees
  • workshops and conferences
  • publications
  • annual school fee  
  • examination fees
  • other fees, including donations. 

The IB annual review

The annual review is a summary of progress made over the year, based on a number of key indicators. 

Read the latest annual review

 

The IB's history and philosophy

 

Download presentations on the history of the IB, and on its educational philosophy. There are also presentations about each IB programme.