Portugal vs South Africa: Enrolment in tertiary education, ISCED 8 programmes, both sexes

Portugal
25,036
in 2023
South Africa
25,648
in 2023
Portugal rank
33rd
South Africa rank
31st

Enrolment in tertiary education, ISCED 8 programmes, both sexes over time

  • Portugal
  • South Africa
5.0k10.0k15.0k20.0k25.0k199820102023

How they compare

South Africa currently reports 25,648 against 25,036 in Portugal, a difference of 612.

Across all 9 years both countries report, South Africa has been ahead every year.

Portugal ranks 33rd and South Africa ranks 31st of 143 countries.

South Africa has averaged higher in every one of the 2 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade Portugal South Africa Difference Ahead
2010s 19,811 22,379 2,568 South Africa
2020s 23,638 24,718 1,081 South Africa

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher enrolment in tertiary education, isced 8 programmes, both sexes, Portugal or South Africa?
South Africa, at 25,648 against 25,036 in Portugal as of 2023.
What is the difference in enrolment in tertiary education, isced 8 programmes, both sexes between Portugal and South Africa?
612, with South Africa ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Portugal and South Africa?
9 years are reported by both, from 2015 to 2023.
How do Portugal and South Africa rank globally for enrolment in tertiary education, isced 8 programmes, both sexes?
Portugal ranks 33rd and South Africa ranks 31st of 143 countries.
Where does this data come from?
UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as Enrolment in tertiary education, ISCED 8 programmes, both sexes (number). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Portugal vs South Africa: Enrolment in tertiary education, ISCED 8 programmes, both sexes. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 12 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/compare/enrolment-in-tertiary-education-isced-8-programmes-both-sexes-number-2/portugal/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Enrolment in tertiary education, ISCED 8 programmes, both sexes (number)
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics)
Coverage
359 places, 7,935 data points, 1996–2025
Last refreshed

February 2026 Data Release