Costa Rica vs South Africa: Educational attainment: at least some primary (ISCED 1), population
Costa Rica
94.7%
in 2024
South Africa
95.0%
in 2024
Costa Rica rank
62nd
South Africa rank
60th
Educational attainment: at least some primary (ISCED 1), population over time
- Costa Rica
- South Africa
How they compare
South Africa currently reports 95.0% against 94.7% in Costa Rica, a difference of 0.3%.
The two have swapped places 3 times across 14 shared years of data; in 2001 it was Costa Rica ahead.
Costa Rica ranks 62nd and South Africa ranks 60th of 98 countries.
Across the 3 decades both report, Costa Rica averaged higher in 2 and South Africa in 1.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Costa Rica | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 90.1% | 79.9% | 10.2% | Costa Rica |
| 2010s | 91.4% | 90.4% | 1.0% | Costa Rica |
| 2020s | 94.1% | 94.7% | 0.6% | South Africa |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher educational attainment: at least some primary (isced 1), population, Costa Rica or South Africa?
- South Africa, at 95.0% against 94.7% in Costa Rica as of 2024.
- What is the difference in educational attainment: at least some primary (isced 1), population between Costa Rica and South Africa?
- 0.3%, with South Africa ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Costa Rica and South Africa?
- 14 years are reported by both, from 2001 to 2024.
- How do Costa Rica and South Africa rank globally for educational attainment: at least some primary (isced 1), population?
- Costa Rica ranks 62nd and South Africa ranks 60th of 98 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, male (%). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
February 2026 Data Release