According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), there were approximately 19,000 universities globally as of 2018. However, this number includes a wide range of institutions, such as public and private universities, research-focused institutions, and smaller colleges.
Since then, new universities have been established, and some may have closed or merged. Additionally, regional variations can significantly affect the number of universities in different countries. It's advisable to refer to the latest data or reports from reputable educational organizations for the most accurate and up-to-date information on the total number of universities worldwide.