South Africa vs South Asia: Primary education, pupils
South Africa
7.52 million
in 2023
South Asia
160.82 million
in 2024
South Africa rank
21st
South Asia rank
20th
Primary education, pupils over time
- South Africa
- South Asia
How they compare
South Asia currently reports 160.82 million against 7.52 million in South Africa, a difference of 153.30 million.
That makes South Asia's figure about 21.4 times South Africa's.
Across all 42 years both countries report, South Asia has been ahead every year.
South Africa ranks 21st and South Asia ranks 20th of 206 countries.
South Asia has averaged higher in every one of the 6 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | South Africa | South Asia | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 4.27 million | 86.84 million | 82.57 million | South Asia |
| 1980s | 5.06 million | 98.79 million | 93.73 million | South Asia |
| 1990s | 7.76 million | 125.50 million | 117.74 million | South Asia |
| 2000s | 7.35 million | 149.75 million | 142.40 million | South Asia |
| 2010s | 7.31 million | 160.58 million | 153.27 million | South Asia |
| 2020s | 7.64 million | 149.42 million | 141.78 million | South Asia |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher primary education, pupils, South Africa or South Asia?
- South Asia, at 160.82 million against 7.52 million in South Africa as of 2024.
- What is the difference in primary education, pupils between South Africa and South Asia?
- 153.30 million, with South Asia ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for South Africa and South Asia?
- 42 years are reported by both, from 1970 to 2023.
- How do South Africa and South Asia rank globally for primary education, pupils?
- South Africa ranks 21st and South Asia ranks 20th of 206 countries.
- 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.
Individual pages
About this data
Primary education pupils is the total number of pupils enrolled at primary level in public and private schools.