South Africa vs United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Enrolment in upper secondary education, both sexes
South Africa
3.25 million
in 2023
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
3.56 million
in 2023
South Africa rank
18th
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rank
16th
Enrolment in upper secondary education, both sexes over time
- South Africa
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
How they compare
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland currently reports 3.56 million against 3.25 million in South Africa, a difference of 318,640.
That makes United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland's figure about 1.1 times South Africa's.
The two have swapped places 2 times across 24 shared years of data; in 1998 it was United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ahead.
South Africa ranks 18th and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 16th of 196 countries.
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has averaged higher in every one of the 4 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | South Africa | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 2.31 million | 2.88 million | 571,870 | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland |
| 2000s | 2.61 million | 3.15 million | 541,002 | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland |
| 2010s | 2.94 million | 3.44 million | 496,179 | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland |
| 2020s | 3.13 million | 3.51 million | 376,765 | 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 upper secondary education, both sexes, South Africa or United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, at 3.56 million against 3.25 million in South Africa as of 2023.
- What is the difference in enrolment in upper secondary education, both sexes between South Africa and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- 318,640, with United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for South Africa and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- 24 years are reported by both, from 1998 to 2023.
- How do South Africa and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rank globally for enrolment in upper secondary education, both sexes?
- South Africa ranks 18th and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 16th of 196 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as Enrolment in upper secondary education, 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