Children out of school in South Africa
South Africa: Children out of school was 6.1% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Children out of school in South Africa, 1970–2023
Source: Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Measured in % of primary school age.
Analysis
In 2023, children out of school in South Africa stood at 6.1%.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 5.0% on the previous year and up 23.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, children out of school in South Africa peaked at 32.2% in 1970 and was at its lowest, 3.8%, in 2021.
South Africa ranks 74th of 196 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Children out of school in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % of primary school age | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 32.2% | — |
| 1991 | 14.3% | -55.8% |
| 1994 | 16.5% | +15.7% |
| 1995 | 18.0% | +8.9% |
| 1998 | 18.2% | +1.1% |
| 1999 | 16.9% | -7.0% |
| 2000 | 17.8% | +5.2% |
| 2001 | 16.7% | -6.2% |
| 2002 | 15.1% | -9.3% |
| 2003 | 14.0% | -7.4% |
| 2004 | 13.3% | -5.0% |
| 2005 | 13.0% | -2.3% |
| 2015 | 4.9% | -62.3% |
| 2017 | 6.3% | +27.7% |
| 2018 | 9.3% | +48.3% |
| 2019 | 8.3% | -10.8% |
| 2020 | 8.1% | -1.8% |
| 2021 | 3.8% | -53.2% |
| 2022 | 5.8% | +51.5% |
| 2023 | 6.1% | +5.0% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 6.1% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 3.9%, 1.6× the median. (56 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 6.1% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 16.9%, 36% of the median. (45 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 32.2% | 32.2% | 32.2% | 1 |
| 1990s | 16.8% | 14.3% | 18.2% | 5 |
| 2000s | 15.0% | 13.0% | 17.8% | 6 |
| 2010s | 7.2% | 4.9% | 9.3% | 4 |
| 2020s | 6.0% | 3.8% | 8.1% | 4 |
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 children out of school in South Africa?
- Children out of school in South Africa was 6.1% in 2023, according to Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
- What is the highest children out of school recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 32.2% in 1970.
- What is the lowest children out of school recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.8% in 2021.
- How does South Africa rank for children out of school?
- South Africa ranks 74th out of 196 countries with data for 2023.
- Is children out of school rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 23.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), published as part of Children out of school (% of primary school age). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Children out of school are the percentage of primary-school-age children who are not enrolled in primary or secondary school. Children in the official primary age group that are in preprimary education should be considered out of school.