South Africa vs Zimbabwe: Educational attainment: at least some primary (ISCED 1), population

South Africa
92.9%
in 2024
Zimbabwe
93.9%
in 2023
South Africa rank
58th
Zimbabwe rank
57th

Educational attainment: at least some primary (ISCED 1), population over time

  • South Africa
  • Zimbabwe
020406080100197019972024

How they compare

Zimbabwe currently reports 93.9% against 92.9% in South Africa, a difference of 1.0%.

Across all 9 years both countries report, Zimbabwe has been ahead every year.

South Africa ranks 58th and Zimbabwe ranks 57th of 96 countries.

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

Head to head by decade

Decade South Africa Zimbabwe Difference Ahead
2000s 76.7% 80.8% 4.1% Zimbabwe
2010s 87.7% 93.9% 6.2% Zimbabwe
2020s 91.3% 93.0% 1.8% Zimbabwe

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher educational attainment: at least some primary (isced 1), population, South Africa or Zimbabwe?
Zimbabwe, at 93.9% against 92.9% in South Africa as of 2023.
What is the difference in educational attainment: at least some primary (isced 1), population between South Africa and Zimbabwe?
1.0%, with Zimbabwe ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for South Africa and Zimbabwe?
9 years are reported by both, from 2002 to 2023.
How do South Africa and Zimbabwe rank globally for educational attainment: at least some primary (isced 1), population?
South Africa ranks 58th and Zimbabwe ranks 57th of 96 countries.
Where does this data come from?
UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as Educational attainment: at least some primary (ISCED 1), population 25+ years, rural, both sexes (%). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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South Africa vs Zimbabwe: Educational attainment: at least some primary (ISCED 1), population. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 15 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/compare/educational-attainment-at-least-some-primary-isced-1-population-25-years-rural-both-sexes/south-africa/zimbabwe/

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About this data

Indicator
Educational attainment: at least some primary (ISCED 1), population 25+ years, rural, both sexes (%)
Unit
%
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics)
Coverage
96 places, 1,242 data points, 1970–2024
Last refreshed

February 2026 Data Release