Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in South Africa
South Africa: Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes was 5.23 million number in 2017. ▼ Falling
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in South Africa, 1980–2017
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in number.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 5.23 million number for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in 2017. That is the highest value across all 10 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 137.6% on the previous year and up 36.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in South Africa peaked at 5.23 million number in 2017 and was at its lowest, 2.20 million number, in 2015.
South Africa ranks 21st of 87 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 10 years of available data.
Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in South Africa, year by year
| Year | number | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 4.03 million number | — |
| 1996 | 4.69 million number | +16.4% |
| 2007 | 3.83 million number | -18.4% |
| 2009 | 2.51 million number | -34.4% |
| 2010 | 2.56 million number | +1.9% |
| 2011 | 2.52 million number | -1.5% |
| 2012 | 2.33 million number | -7.5% |
| 2014 | 2.25 million number | -3.2% |
| 2015 | 2.20 million number | -2.3% |
| 2017 | 5.23 million number | +137.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 4.03 million number | 4.03 million number | 4.03 million number | 1 |
| 1990s | 4.69 million number | 4.69 million number | 4.69 million number | 1 |
| 2000s | 3.17 million number | 2.51 million number | 3.83 million number | 2 |
| 2010s | 2.85 million number | 2.20 million number | 5.23 million number | 6 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More education data for South Africa
- 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)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.119 units per person (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in South Africa?
- Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes in South Africa was 5.23 million number in 2017, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 5.23 million number in 2017.
- What is the lowest adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.20 million number in 2015.
- How does South Africa rank for adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes?
- South Africa ranks 21st out of 87 countries with data for 2017.
- Is adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 36.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Adult illiterate population, 15+ years, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total number of adults over age 15 who cannot both read and write with understanding a short simple statement on their everyday life.