Kenya vs South Africa: Primary education, teachers

Kenya
281,500
in 2023
South Africa
287,310
in 2023
Kenya rank
25th
South Africa rank
22nd

Primary education, teachers over time

  • Kenya
  • South Africa
0100.0k200.0k300.0k400.0k197720002023

How they compare

South Africa currently reports 287,310 against 281,500 in Kenya, a difference of 5,810.

The two have swapped places 2 times across 15 shared years of data; in 1999 it was South Africa ahead.

Kenya ranks 25th and South Africa ranks 22nd of 204 countries.

Across the 4 decades both report, Kenya averaged higher in 1 and South Africa in 3.

Head to head by decade

Decade Kenya South Africa Difference Ahead
1990s 148,469 220,813 72,344 South Africa
2000s 151,469 214,238 62,769 South Africa
2010s 257,897 227,113 30,784 Kenya
2020s 281,500 287,310 5,810 South Africa

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher primary education, teachers, Kenya or South Africa?
South Africa, at 287,310 against 281,500 in Kenya as of 2023.
What is the difference in primary education, teachers between Kenya and South Africa?
5,810, with South Africa ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Kenya and South Africa?
15 years are reported by both, from 1999 to 2023.
How do Kenya and South Africa rank globally for primary education, teachers?
Kenya ranks 25th and South Africa ranks 22nd of 204 countries.
Where does this data come from?
Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), published as Primary education, teachers. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Kenya vs South Africa: Primary education, teachers. Statizoid, drawing on Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Retrieved 23 August 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/compare/primary-education-teachers/kenya/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Primary education, teachers
Source
Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
249 places, 9,469 data points, 1970–2025
Last refreshed

Primary education, teachers refers to the total number of teachers at primary level, including full-time and part-time teachers.