South Africa vs UIS: South and West Asia: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes
South Africa
1.19 million
in 2023
UIS: South and West Asia
55.16 million
in 2024
South Africa rank
37th
UIS: South and West Asia rank
38th
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes over time
- South Africa
- UIS: South and West Asia
How they compare
UIS: South and West Asia currently reports 55.16 million against 1.19 million in South Africa, a difference of 53.96 million.
That makes UIS: South and West Asia's figure about 46.2 times South Africa's.
Across all 21 years both countries report, UIS: South and West Asia has been ahead every year.
South Africa ranks 37th and UIS: South and West Asia ranks 38th of 200 countries.
UIS: South and West Asia has averaged higher in every one of the 5 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | South Africa | UIS: South and West Asia | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 90,637 | 6.49 million | 6.39 million | UIS: South and West Asia |
| 1980s | 399,942 | 5.88 million | 5.48 million | UIS: South and West Asia |
| 1990s | 513,419 | 9.31 million | 8.79 million | UIS: South and West Asia |
| 2010s | 1.08 million | 41.62 million | 40.54 million | UIS: South and West Asia |
| 2020s | 1.19 million | 50.70 million | 49.51 million | UIS: South and West Asia |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes, South Africa or UIS: South and West Asia?
- UIS: South and West 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 South Africa and UIS: South and West Asia?
- 53.96 million, with UIS: South and West Asia ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for South Africa and UIS: South and West Asia?
- 21 years are reported by both, from 1970 to 2023.
- How do South Africa and UIS: South and West Asia rank globally for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes?
- South Africa ranks 37th and UIS: South and West Asia ranks 38th of 200 countries.
- 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