Completion rate, lower secondary education, both sexes in South Africa
South Africa: Completion rate, lower secondary education, both sexes was 92.5% in 2024. ▲ Rising
Completion rate, lower secondary education, both sexes in South Africa, 2011–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 92.5% for completion rate, lower secondary education, both sexes 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, lower secondary education, both sexes in South Africa peaked at 93.9% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 84.9%, in 2011.
That places South Africa 38th out of 92 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
Completion rate, lower secondary education, both sexes in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % | 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% |
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
- Enrolment in primary education, female (number), gaps filled 3.65 million (2023)
- Enrolment in primary education, female (number), annual growth rate -1.31 % change on previous year (2023)
- Enrolment in primary education, female (number), per capita 0.0578 units per person (2023)
- Enrolment in primary education, male (number), gaps filled 3.87 million (2023)
- Enrolment in primary education, male (number), annual growth rate -1.55 % change on previous year (2023)
- Enrolment in primary education, male (number), per capita 0.0612 units per person (2023)
- Enrolment in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 5.50 million (2023)
- Enrolment in secondary education, both sexes (number), annual growth 2.22 % change on previous year (2023)
- Teachers in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 287,310 (2023)
- Teachers in primary education, both sexes (number), annual growth rate 13.45 % change on previous year (2015)
Frequently asked questions
- What is completion rate, lower secondary education, both sexes in South Africa?
- Completion rate, lower secondary education, both sexes in South Africa was 92.5% in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest completion rate, lower secondary education, both sexes recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 93.9% in 2020.
- What is the lowest completion rate, lower secondary education, both sexes recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 84.9% in 2011.
- How does South Africa rank for completion rate, lower secondary education, both sexes?
- South Africa ranks 38th out of 92 countries with data for 2024.
- Is completion rate, lower secondary education, both sexes 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 UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Completion rate, lower secondary education, both sexes (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release