Kenya vs South Africa: Educational attainment rate, completed primary education or higher
Kenya
78.1%
in 2024
South Africa
81.9%
in 2024
Kenya rank
62nd
South Africa rank
60th
Educational attainment rate, completed primary education or higher over time
- Kenya
- South Africa
How they compare
South Africa currently reports 81.9% against 78.1% in Kenya, a difference of 3.8%.
The two have swapped places 1 time across 7 shared years of data; in 2005 it was Kenya ahead.
Kenya ranks 62nd and South Africa ranks 60th of 100 countries.
Across the 3 decades both report, Kenya averaged higher in 1 and South Africa in 2.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Kenya | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 61.7% | 59.5% | 2.2% | Kenya |
| 2010s | 72.9% | 75.2% | 2.3% | South Africa |
| 2020s | 76.4% | 80.2% | 3.8% | South Africa |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher educational attainment rate, completed primary education or higher, Kenya or South Africa?
- South Africa, at 81.9% against 78.1% in Kenya as of 2024.
- What is the difference in educational attainment rate, completed primary education or higher between Kenya and South Africa?
- 3.8%, with South Africa ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Kenya and South Africa?
- 7 years are reported by both, from 2005 to 2024.
- How do Kenya and South Africa rank globally for educational attainment rate, completed primary education or higher?
- Kenya ranks 62nd and South Africa ranks 60th of 100 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as Educational attainment rate, completed primary education or higher, 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