Afghanistan vs South Africa: Enrolment in primary education, both sexes
Afghanistan
7.51 million
in 2023
South Africa
7.52 million
in 2023
Afghanistan rank
22nd
South Africa rank
21st
Enrolment in primary education, both sexes over time
- Afghanistan
- South Africa
How they compare
South Africa currently reports 7.52 million against 7.51 million in Afghanistan, a difference of 13,960.
Across all 36 years both countries report, South Africa has been ahead every year.
Afghanistan ranks 22nd and South Africa ranks 21st of 218 countries.
South Africa has averaged higher in every one of the 6 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Afghanistan | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 701,965 | 4.27 million | 3.57 million | South Africa |
| 1980s | 635,353 | 5.09 million | 4.46 million | South Africa |
| 1990s | 940,998 | 7.70 million | 6.76 million | South Africa |
| 2000s | 3.60 million | 7.35 million | 3.75 million | South Africa |
| 2010s | 6.07 million | 7.31 million | 1.24 million | South Africa |
| 2020s | 7.51 million | 7.52 million | 13,960 | South Africa |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher enrolment in primary education, both sexes, Afghanistan or South Africa?
- South Africa, at 7.52 million against 7.51 million in Afghanistan as of 2023.
- What is the difference in enrolment in primary education, both sexes between Afghanistan and South Africa?
- 13,960, with South Africa ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Afghanistan and South Africa?
- 36 years are reported by both, from 1970 to 2023.
- How do Afghanistan and South Africa rank globally for enrolment in primary education, both sexes?
- Afghanistan ranks 22nd and South Africa ranks 21st of 218 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
February 2026 Data Release