Australia vs South Africa: Total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying

Australia
13,383
in 2023
South Africa
13,270
in 2023
Australia rank
93rd
South Africa rank
95th

Total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying over time

  • Australia
  • South Africa
4.0k6.0k8.0k10.0k12.0k14.0k199820102023

How they compare

Australia currently reports 13,383 against 13,270 in South Africa, a difference of 113.

The two have swapped places 2 times across 26 shared years of data; in 1998 it was Australia ahead.

Australia ranks 93rd and South Africa ranks 95th of 210 countries.

Australia has averaged higher in every one of the 4 decades both report.

Head to head by decade

Decade Australia South Africa Difference Ahead
1990s 5,401 4,892 509.5 Australia
2000s 8,378 6,047 2,330 Australia
2010s 12,581 8,942 3,638 Australia
2020s 13,730 12,947 782.5 Australia

Averages of every year both report within each decade.

Frequently asked questions

Which has higher total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying, Australia or South Africa?
Australia, at 13,383 against 13,270 in South Africa as of 2023.
What is the difference in total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying between Australia and South Africa?
113, with Australia ahead.
How many years of comparable data are there for Australia and South Africa?
26 years are reported by both, from 1998 to 2023.
How do Australia and South Africa rank globally for total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying?
Australia ranks 93rd and South Africa ranks 95th of 210 countries.
Where does this data come from?
UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as Total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying abroad, all countries, both sexes (UIS estimate) (number). Statizoid refreshes it automatically from the source and publishes the full history for both places.

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Australia vs South Africa: Total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 31 August 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/compare/total-outbound-internationally-mobile-tertiary-students-studying-abroad-all-countries-3/australia/south-africa/

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<a href="https://education.statizoid.com/compare/total-outbound-internationally-mobile-tertiary-students-studying-abroad-all-countries-3/australia/south-africa/">Australia vs South Africa: Total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying</a> — Statizoid

About this data

Indicator
Total outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying abroad, all countries, both sexes (UIS estimate) (number)
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics)
Coverage
431 places, 11,332 data points, 1997–2023
Last refreshed

February 2026 Data Release