South Africa vs United States of America: Educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population

South Africa
50.7%
in 2024
United States of America
49.8%
in 2024
South Africa rank
15th
United States of America rank
16th

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

  • South Africa
  • United States of America
1020304050199520092024

How they compare

South Africa currently reports 50.7% against 49.8% in United States of America, a difference of 0.9%.

The two have swapped places 1 time across 8 shared years of data; in 2001 it was United States of America ahead.

South Africa ranks 15th and United States of America ranks 16th of 110 countries.

Across the 3 decades both report, South Africa averaged higher in 1 and United States of America in 2.

Head to head by decade

Decade South Africa United States of America Difference Ahead
2000s 10.1% 35.8% 25.7% United States of America
2010s 14.4% 45.5% 31.1% United States of America
2020s 49.9% 48.9% 1.0% 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, South Africa or United States of America?
South Africa, at 50.7% against 49.8% in United States of America as of 2024.
What is the difference in educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population between South Africa and United States of America?
0.9%, with South Africa ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for South Africa and United States of America?
8 years are reported by both, from 2001 to 2024.
How do South Africa and United States of America rank globally for educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population?
South Africa ranks 15th and United States of America ranks 16th 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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South Africa vs United States of America: Educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population. Statizoid, drawing on Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Retrieved 10 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/compare/educational-attainment-at-least-completed-post-secondary-population-25-total-percent/south-africa/united-states/

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<a href="https://education.statizoid.com/compare/educational-attainment-at-least-completed-post-secondary-population-25-total-percent/south-africa/united-states/">South Africa vs United States of America: 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.