South Africa vs United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland: Share of students studying abroad
Share of students studying abroad over time
- South Africa
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
How they compare
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland currently reports 1.3% against 1.1% in South Africa, a difference of 0.2%.
That makes United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland's figure about 1.2 times South Africa's.
Across all 12 years both countries report, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has been ahead every year.
South Africa ranks 159th and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 156th of 175 countries.
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland has averaged higher in every one of the 2 decades both report.
Head to head by decade
| Decade | South Africa | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland | Difference | Ahead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 0.9% | 1.4% | 0.5% | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland |
| 2020s | 1.1% | 1.3% | 0.3% | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland |
Averages of every year both report within each decade.
Frequently asked questions
- Which has higher share of students studying abroad, South Africa or United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, at 1.3% against 1.1% in South Africa as of 2023.
- What is the difference in share of students studying abroad between South Africa and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- 0.2%, with United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ahead.
- How many years of comparable data are there for South Africa and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?
- 12 years are reported by both, from 2012 to 2023.
- How do South Africa and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland rank globally for share of students studying abroad?
- South Africa ranks 159th and United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland ranks 156th of 175 countries.
- Where does this data come from?
- UNESCO Institute for Statistics (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as Share of students studying abroad. Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.
Individual pages
About this data
Percentage of a country's tertiary level students studying abroad as international students. International students are those that move from their home countries for education, identified based on their past education, residence, or distinct immigration regulations.