South Africa vs United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Enrolment in tertiary education, ISCED 5 programmes, both sexes
South Africa
329,214
in 2023
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
327,575
in 2023
South Africa rank
21st
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rank
22nd
Enrolment in tertiary education, ISCED 5 programmes, both sexes over time
- South Africa
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
How they compare
South Africa currently reports 329,214 against 327,575 in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, a difference of 1,639.
The two have swapped places 3 times across 12 shared years of data; in 2012 it was United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ahead.
South Africa ranks 21st and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 22nd of 149 countries.
Across the 2 decades both report, South Africa averaged higher in 1 and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 1.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | South Africa | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 333,870 | 309,178 | 24,692 | South Africa |
| 2020s | 325,459 | 358,430 | 32,971 | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher enrolment in tertiary education, isced 5 programmes, both sexes, South Africa or United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- South Africa, at 329,214 against 327,575 in United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland as of 2023.
- What is the difference in enrolment in tertiary education, isced 5 programmes, both sexes between South Africa and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- 1,639, with South Africa ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for South Africa and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- 12 years are reported by both, from 2012 to 2023.
- How do South Africa and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rank globally for enrolment in tertiary education, isced 5 programmes, both sexes?
- South Africa ranks 21st and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 22nd of 149 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as Enrolment in tertiary education, ISCED 5 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