How many years of comparable data are there for Poland and South Africa?

15 years are reported by both, from 1973 to 2018.

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.

Poland vs South Africa: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes

Poland

1.49 million number

in 2018

South Africa

1.18 million number

in 2018

Poland rank

33rd

South Africa rank

36th

Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes over time

Poland
South Africa

How they compare

Poland currently reports 1.49 million number against 1.18 million number in South Africa, a difference of 315,220 number.

That makes Poland's figure about 1.3 times South Africa's.

Across all 15 years both countries report, Poland has been ahead every year.

Poland ranks 33rd and South Africa ranks 36th of 193 countries.

Poland has averaged higher in every one of the 4 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade	Poland	South Africa	Difference	Ahead
1970s	429,646 number	98,577 number	331,069 number	Poland
1980s	476,068 number	399,942 number	76,127 number	Poland
1990s	594,879 number	513,419 number	81,460 number	Poland
2010s	1.71 million number	1.07 million number	646,170 number	Poland

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes, Poland or South Africa?: Poland, at 1.49 million number against 1.18 million number in South Africa as of 2018.
What is the difference in enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes between Poland and South Africa?: 315,220 number, with Poland ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Poland and South Africa?: 15 years are reported by both, from 1973 to 2018.
How do Poland and South Africa rank globally for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes?: Poland ranks 33rd and South Africa ranks 36th of 193 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.

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Poland vs South Africa: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 08 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/compare/enrolment-in-tertiary-education-all-programmes-both-sexes-number/poland/south-africa/

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<a href="https://education.statizoid.com/compare/enrolment-in-tertiary-education-all-programmes-both-sexes-number/poland/south-africa/">Poland vs South Africa: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes</a> — Statizoid

About this data

Indicator: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number)
Unit: number
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence: CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage: 238 places, 8,058 data points, 1970–2020
Last refreshed: 04 September 2026

The total number of students enrolled at public and private tertiary education institutions.