South Africa vs Sri Lanka: Educational attainment, at least completed lower secondary

South Africa
86.1%
in 2024
Sri Lanka
83.8%
in 2024
South Africa rank
56th
Sri Lanka rank
59th

Educational attainment, at least completed lower secondary over time

  • South Africa
  • Sri Lanka
406080197019972024

How they compare

South Africa currently reports 86.1% against 83.8% in Sri Lanka, a difference of 2.3%.

The two have swapped places 3 times across 14 shared years of data; in 2001 it was Sri Lanka ahead.

South Africa ranks 56th and Sri Lanka ranks 59th of 132 countries.

Sri Lanka has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade South Africa Sri Lanka Difference Ahead
2000s 68.3% 75.5% 7.2% Sri Lanka
2010s 74.3% 82.2% 7.9% Sri Lanka
2020s 81.7% 83.6% 1.9% Sri Lanka

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher educational attainment, at least completed lower secondary, South Africa or Sri Lanka?
South Africa, at 86.1% against 83.8% in Sri Lanka as of 2024.
What is the difference in educational attainment, at least completed lower secondary between South Africa and Sri Lanka?
2.3%, with South Africa ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for South Africa and Sri Lanka?
14 years are reported by both, from 2001 to 2024.
How do South Africa and Sri Lanka rank globally for educational attainment, at least completed lower secondary?
South Africa ranks 56th and Sri Lanka ranks 59th of 132 countries.
Where does this data come from?
Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), published as Educational attainment, at least completed lower secondary, population 25+, male (%) (cumulative). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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South Africa vs Sri Lanka: Educational attainment, at least completed lower secondary. Statizoid, drawing on Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Retrieved 11 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/compare/educational-attainment-at-least-completed-lower-secondary-population-25-male-percent/south-africa/sri-lanka/

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<a href="https://education.statizoid.com/compare/educational-attainment-at-least-completed-lower-secondary-population-25-male-percent/south-africa/sri-lanka/">South Africa vs Sri Lanka: Educational attainment, at least completed lower secondary</a> — Statizoid

About this data

Indicator
Educational attainment, at least completed lower secondary, population 25+, male (%) (cumulative)
Unit
cumulative
Source
Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
132 places, 1,897 data points, 1970–2024
Last refreshed

The percentage of population ages 25 and over that attained or completed lower secondary education.