Completion rate, by sex, location, wealth quintile and education level in South Africa
South Africa: Completion rate, by sex, location, wealth quintile and education level was 92.5% in 2024. ▲ Rising
Completion rate, by sex, location, wealth quintile and education level in South Africa, 2011–2024
Source: United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 92.5% for completion rate, by sex, location, wealth quintile and education level in 2024.
That represents a change of up 0.9% on the previous year and up 5.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, completion rate, by sex, location, wealth quintile and education level in South Africa peaked at 93.9% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 84.9%, in 2011.
That places South Africa 33rd out of 78 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
Completion rate, by sex, location, wealth quintile and education level in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 84.9% | — |
| 2016 | 88.0% | +3.7% |
| 2020 | 93.9% | +6.7% |
| 2021 | 93.7% | -0.2% |
| 2022 | 92.5% | -1.2% |
| 2023 | 91.6% | -1.0% |
| 2024 | 92.5% | +0.9% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 92.5% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 91.7%, 1.0× the median. (19 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 92.5% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 31.5%, 2.9× the median. (20 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 86.5% | 84.9% | 88.0% | 2 |
| 2020s | 92.9% | 91.6% | 93.9% | 5 |
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 completion rate, by sex, location, wealth quintile and education level in South Africa?
- Completion rate, by sex, location, wealth quintile and education level in South Africa was 92.5% in 2024, according to United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database.
- What is the highest completion rate, by sex, location, wealth quintile and education level recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 93.9% in 2020.
- What is the lowest completion rate, by sex, location, wealth quintile and education level recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 84.9% in 2011.
- How does South Africa rank for completion rate, by sex, location, wealth quintile and education level?
- South Africa ranks 33rd out of 78 countries with data for 2024.
- Is completion rate, by sex, location, wealth quintile and education level rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 5.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Statistics Division, SDG Global Database, published as part of Completion rate, by sex, location, wealth quintile and education level (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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