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

New Zealand
51.1%
in 2020
South Africa
50.7%
in 2024
New Zealand rank
13th
South Africa rank
15th

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

  • New Zealand
  • South Africa
1020304050198120022024

How they compare

New Zealand currently reports 51.1% against 50.7% in South Africa, a difference of 0.4%.

Across all 7 years both countries report, New Zealand has been ahead every year.

New Zealand ranks 13th and South Africa ranks 15th of 110 countries.

New Zealand has averaged higher in every one of the 2 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade New Zealand South Africa Difference Ahead
2000s 38.7% 9.6% 29.1% New Zealand
2010s 46.2% 14.1% 32.1% New Zealand

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population, New Zealand or South Africa?
New Zealand, at 51.1% against 50.7% in South Africa as of 2020.
What is the difference in educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population between New Zealand and South Africa?
0.4%, with New Zealand ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for New Zealand and South Africa?
7 years are reported by both, from 2001 to 2016.
How do New Zealand and South Africa rank globally for educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population?
New Zealand ranks 13th and South Africa ranks 15th of 110 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+, total (%) (cumulative). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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New Zealand vs South Africa: Educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population. Statizoid, drawing on Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Retrieved 12 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/compare/educational-attainment-at-least-completed-post-secondary-population-25-total-percent/new-zealand/south-africa/

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<a href="https://education.statizoid.com/compare/educational-attainment-at-least-completed-post-secondary-population-25-total-percent/new-zealand/south-africa/">New Zealand vs South Africa: Educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population</a> — Statizoid

About this data

Indicator
Educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population 25+, total (%) (cumulative)
Unit
cumulative
Source
Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
110 places, 1,336 data points, 1970–2024
Last refreshed

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