Least developed countries vs South Africa: Primary education, teachers

Least developed countries
4.43 million
in 2024
South Africa
287,310
in 2023
Least developed countries rank
24th
South Africa rank
22nd

Primary education, teachers over time

  • Least developed countries
  • South Africa
01.0M2.0M3.0M4.0M197019972024

How they compare

Least developed countries currently reports 4.43 million against 287,310 in South Africa, a difference of 4.15 million.

That makes Least developed countries's figure about 15.4 times South Africa's.

Across all 25 years both countries report, Least developed countries has been ahead every year.

Least developed countries ranks 24th and South Africa ranks 22nd of 43 groups.

Least developed countries has averaged higher in every one of the 5 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade Least developed countries South Africa Difference Ahead
1970s 934,586 148,604 785,982 Least developed countries
1990s 1.55 million 222,326 1.33 million Least developed countries
2000s 2.33 million 214,238 2.11 million Least developed countries
2010s 3.47 million 225,559 3.25 million Least developed countries
2020s 4.40 million 287,310 4.12 million Least developed countries

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher primary education, teachers, Least developed countries or South Africa?
Least developed countries, at 4.43 million against 287,310 in South Africa as of 2024.
What is the difference in primary education, teachers between Least developed countries and South Africa?
4.15 million, with Least developed countries ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Least developed countries and South Africa?
25 years are reported by both, from 1977 to 2023.
How do Least developed countries and South Africa rank globally for primary education, teachers?
Least developed countries ranks 24th and South Africa ranks 22nd of 43 groups.
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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Least developed countries vs South Africa: Primary education, teachers. Statizoid, drawing on Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Retrieved 25 August 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/compare/primary-education-teachers/least-developed-countries-un-classification/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.