4.1.2 Completion rate in primary education (%) in South Africa
South Africa: 4.1.2 Completion rate in primary education (%) was 97.7 in 2020. ▲ Rising
Latest (2020)
97.7
Change on year
down 0.3%
World rank
76th
of 164 countries
All-time high
98
in 2019
All-time low
91
in 2000
Years of data
21
2000–2020
4.1.2 Completion rate in primary education in South Africa, 2000–2020
Source: UNICEF.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 97.7 for 4.1.2 completion rate in primary education in 2020.
The figure is down 0.3% on the previous year and up 2.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, 4.1.2 completion rate in primary education in South Africa peaked at 98 in 2019 and was at its lowest, 91, in 2000.
South Africa ranks 76th of 164 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 21 years of available data.
4.1.2 Completion rate in primary education (%) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 91 | — |
| 2001 | 92 | +1.1% |
| 2002 | 92 | +0.0% |
| 2003 | 92 | +0.0% |
| 2004 | 93 | +1.1% |
| 2005 | 93 | +0.0% |
| 2006 | 94 | +1.1% |
| 2007 | 94 | +0.0% |
| 2008 | 95 | +1.1% |
| 2009 | 95 | +0.0% |
| 2010 | 95 | +0.0% |
| 2011 | 93 | -2.1% |
| 2012 | 96 | +3.2% |
| 2013 | 96 | +0.0% |
| 2014 | 96 | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 97 | +1.0% |
| 2016 | 96 | -1.0% |
| 2017 | 97 | +1.0% |
| 2018 | 97 | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 98 | +1.0% |
| 2020 | 97.7 | -0.3% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 97.7 is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 98.12, 100% of the median. (50 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 97.7 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 62.1, 1.6× the median. (45 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 93.1 | 91 | 95 | 10 |
| 2010s | 96.1 | 93 | 98 | 10 |
| 2020s | 97.7 | 97.7 | 97.7 | 1 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More education data for South Africa
- Gender gap education levels, gaps filled 94.05 (2023)
- Primary enrollment selected countries, gaps filled 93.94 (2023)
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 181,739 (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 339,638 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 410,708 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 407,696 (2023)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 5.50 million (2023)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 7.52 million (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate -1.44 % change on previous year (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is 4.1.2 completion rate in primary education in South Africa?
- 4.1.2 completion rate in primary education in South Africa was 97.7 in 2020, according to UNICEF.
- What is the highest 4.1.2 completion rate in primary education recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 98 in 2019.
- What is the lowest 4.1.2 completion rate in primary education recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 91 in 2000.
- How does South Africa rank for 4.1.2 completion rate in primary education?
- South Africa ranks 76th out of 164 countries with data for 2020.
- Is 4.1.2 completion rate in primary education rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from UNICEF, published as part of 4.1.2 Completion rate in primary education (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 21 observations, free to reuse under UNICEF Terms of Use (attribution required).