Australia vs South Africa: Educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population

Australia
48.8%
in 2024
South Africa
50.2%
in 2024
Australia rank
13th
South Africa rank
11th

Educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population over time

  • Australia
  • South Africa
1020304050197119972024

How they compare

South Africa currently reports 50.2% against 48.8% in Australia, a difference of 1.4%.

The two have swapped places 1 time across 18 shared years of data; in 2004 it was Australia ahead.

Australia ranks 13th and South Africa ranks 11th of 108 countries.

Across the 3 decades both report, Australia averaged higher in 2 and South Africa in 1.

Head to head by decade

Decade Australia South Africa Difference Ahead
2000s 33.9% 11.8% 22.1% Australia
2010s 41.5% 14.2% 27.3% Australia
2020s 48.5% 49.9% 1.4% South Africa

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population, Australia or South Africa?
South Africa, at 50.2% against 48.8% in Australia as of 2024.
What is the difference in educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population between Australia and South Africa?
1.4%, with South Africa ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Australia and South Africa?
18 years are reported by both, from 2004 to 2024.
How do Australia and South Africa rank globally for educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population?
Australia ranks 13th and South Africa ranks 11th of 108 countries.
Where does this data come from?
Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), published as Educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population 25+, male (%) (cumulative). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Australia vs South Africa: Educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population. Statizoid, drawing on Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Retrieved 08 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/compare/educational-attainment-at-least-completed-post-secondary-population-25-male-percent/australia/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Educational attainment, at least completed post-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
108 places, 1,328 data points, 1970–2024
Last refreshed

The percentage of population ages 25 and over that attained or completed post-secondary non-tertiary education.