Indonesia vs South Africa: Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, urban, both sexes
Indonesia
2.51 million
in 2020
South Africa
1.84 million
in 2024
Indonesia rank
6th
South Africa rank
9th
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, urban, both sexes over time
- Indonesia
- South Africa
How they compare
Indonesia currently reports 2.51 million against 1.84 million in South Africa, a difference of 662,300.
That makes Indonesia's figure about 1.4 times South Africa's.
Across all 5 years both countries report, Indonesia has been ahead every year.
Indonesia ranks 6th and South Africa ranks 9th of 40 countries.
Indonesia has averaged higher in every one of the 2 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Indonesia | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 3.54 million | 857,779 | 2.68 million | Indonesia |
| 2010s | 3.08 million | 818,690 | 2.26 million | Indonesia |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher adult illiterate population, 15+ years, urban, both sexes, Indonesia or South Africa?
- Indonesia, at 2.51 million against 1.84 million in South Africa as of 2020.
- What is the difference in adult illiterate population, 15+ years, urban, both sexes between Indonesia and South Africa?
- 662,300, with Indonesia ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Indonesia and South Africa?
- 5 years are reported by both, from 2009 to 2015.
- How do Indonesia and South Africa rank globally for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, urban, both sexes?
- Indonesia ranks 6th and South Africa ranks 9th of 40 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, urban, both sexes (number). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
February 2026 Data Release