Least developed countries vs South Africa: Primary education, pupils

Least developed countries
171.01 million
in 2024
South Africa
7.52 million
in 2023
Least developed countries rank
19th
South Africa rank
21st

Primary education, pupils over time

  • Least developed countries
  • South Africa
050.0M100.0M150.0M197019972024

How they compare

Least developed countries currently reports 171.01 million against 7.52 million in South Africa, a difference of 163.49 million.

That makes Least developed countries's figure about 22.7 times South Africa's.

Across all 42 years both countries report, Least developed countries has been ahead every year.

Least developed countries ranks 19th and South Africa ranks 21st of 43 groups.

Least developed countries has averaged higher in every one of the 6 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade Least developed countries South Africa Difference Ahead
1970s 35.14 million 4.27 million 30.87 million Least developed countries
1980s 48.61 million 5.06 million 43.55 million Least developed countries
1990s 65.96 million 7.76 million 58.20 million Least developed countries
2000s 103.95 million 7.35 million 96.60 million Least developed countries
2010s 146.33 million 7.31 million 139.02 million Least developed countries
2020s 167.74 million 7.64 million 160.10 million Least developed countries

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher primary education, pupils, Least developed countries or South Africa?
Least developed countries, at 171.01 million against 7.52 million in South Africa as of 2024.
What is the difference in primary education, pupils between Least developed countries and South Africa?
163.49 million, with Least developed countries ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Least developed countries and South Africa?
42 years are reported by both, from 1970 to 2023.
How do Least developed countries and South Africa rank globally for primary education, pupils?
Least developed countries ranks 19th and South Africa ranks 21st of 43 groups.
Where does this data come from?
Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), published as Primary education, pupils. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Least developed countries vs South Africa: Primary education, pupils. Statizoid, drawing on Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Retrieved 24 August 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/compare/primary-education-pupils/least-developed-countries-un-classification/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Primary education, pupils
Source
Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
251 places, 11,297 data points, 1970–2025
Last refreshed

Primary education pupils is the total number of pupils enrolled at primary level in public and private schools.