Colombia vs South Africa: Population of compulsory school age, both sexes
Colombia
9.86 million
in 2024
South Africa
9.51 million
in 2025
Colombia rank
26th
South Africa rank
28th
Population of compulsory school age, both sexes over time
- Colombia
- South Africa
How they compare
Colombia currently reports 9.86 million against 9.51 million in South Africa, a difference of 348,580.
The two have swapped places 3 times across 25 shared years of data; in 2000 it was South Africa ahead.
Colombia ranks 26th and South Africa ranks 28th of 197 countries.
South Africa has averaged higher in every one of the 3 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | Colombia | South Africa | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 8.37 million | 9.80 million | 1.43 million | South Africa |
| 2010s | 8.79 million | 9.06 million | 264,114 | South Africa |
| 2020s | 9.58 million | 9.60 million | 20,472 | South Africa |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher population of compulsory school age, both sexes, Colombia or South Africa?
- Colombia, at 9.86 million against 9.51 million in South Africa as of 2024.
- What is the difference in population of compulsory school age, both sexes between Colombia and South Africa?
- 348,580, with Colombia ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for Colombia and South Africa?
- 25 years are reported by both, from 2000 to 2024.
- How do Colombia and South Africa rank globally for population of compulsory school age, both sexes?
- Colombia ranks 26th and South Africa ranks 28th of 197 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as Population of compulsory school age, 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