SDG: Southern Asia vs South Africa: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes
SDG: Southern Asia
55.16 million
in 2024
South Africa
1.19 million
in 2023
SDG: Southern Asia rank
38th
South Africa rank
37th
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes over time
- SDG: Southern Asia
- South Africa
How they compare
SDG: Southern Asia currently reports 55.16 million against 1.19 million in South Africa, a difference of 53.96 million.
That makes SDG: Southern Asia's figure about 46.2 times South Africa's.
Across all 21 years both countries report, SDG: Southern Asia has been ahead every year.
SDG: Southern Asia ranks 38th and South Africa ranks 37th of 221 groups.
SDG: Southern Asia has averaged higher in every one of the 5 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | SDG: Southern Asia | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 6.49 million | 90,637 | 6.39 million | SDG: Southern Asia |
| 1980s | 5.88 million | 399,942 | 5.48 million | SDG: Southern Asia |
| 1990s | 9.31 million | 513,419 | 8.79 million | SDG: Southern Asia |
| 2010s | 41.62 million | 1.08 million | 40.54 million | SDG: Southern Asia |
| 2020s | 50.70 million | 1.19 million | 49.51 million | SDG: Southern Asia |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes, SDG: Southern Asia or South Africa?
- SDG: Southern Asia, at 55.16 million against 1.19 million in South Africa as of 2024.
- What is the difference in enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes between SDG: Southern Asia and South Africa?
- 53.96 million, with SDG: Southern Asia ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for SDG: Southern Asia and South Africa?
- 21 years are reported by both, from 1970 to 2023.
- How do SDG: Southern Asia and South Africa rank globally for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes?
- SDG: Southern Asia ranks 38th and South Africa ranks 37th of 221 groups.
- Where does this data come from?
- UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, 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