Completion rate, upper secondary education, male (%) (rate male) in South Africa
South Africa: Completion rate, upper secondary education, male (%) (rate male) was 56.1% in 2024. ▲ Rising
Completion rate, upper secondary education, male in South Africa, 2011–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for completion rate, upper secondary education, male in South Africa is 56.1%, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of up 0.1% on the previous year and up 24.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, completion rate, upper secondary education, male in South Africa peaked at 61.2% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 44.9%, in 2016.
South Africa ranks 55th of 94 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Completion rate, upper secondary education, male (%) (rate male) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 45.5% | — |
| 2016 | 44.9% | -1.3% |
| 2020 | 60.6% | +35.0% |
| 2021 | 61.2% | +0.9% |
| 2022 | 53.3% | -12.9% |
| 2023 | 56.0% | +5.1% |
| 2024 | 56.1% | +0.1% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 56.1% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 67.4%, 83% of the median. (23 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 56.1% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 22.1%, 2.5× the median. (28 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 45.2% | 44.9% | 45.5% | 2 |
| 2020s | 57.4% | 53.3% | 61.2% | 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, upper secondary education, male in South Africa?
- Completion rate, upper secondary education, male in South Africa was 56.1% in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest completion rate, upper secondary education, male recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 61.2% in 2021.
- What is the lowest completion rate, upper secondary education, male recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 44.9% in 2016.
- How does South Africa rank for completion rate, upper secondary education, male?
- South Africa ranks 55th out of 94 countries with data for 2024.
- Is completion rate, upper secondary education, male rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 24.9%. 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, upper secondary education, male (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release