Completion rate, upper secondary education, rural, both sexes in South Africa
South Africa: Completion rate, upper secondary education, rural, both sexes was 51.3% in 2024. ▲ Rising
Completion rate, upper secondary education, rural, both sexes in South Africa, 2011–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for completion rate, upper secondary education, rural, both sexes in South Africa is 51.3%, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 4.8% on the previous year and up 53.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, completion rate, upper secondary education, rural, both sexes in South Africa peaked at 51.6% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 33.5%, in 2016.
That places South Africa 51st out of 88 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
Completion rate, upper secondary education, rural, both sexes in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 38.0% | — |
| 2016 | 33.5% | -11.8% |
| 2020 | 50.6% | +51.1% |
| 2021 | 51.6% | +2.0% |
| 2022 | 46.4% | -10.1% |
| 2023 | 49.0% | +5.5% |
| 2024 | 51.3% | +4.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 35.7% | 33.5% | 38.0% | 2 |
| 2020s | 49.8% | 46.4% | 51.6% | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More education data for South Africa
- 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)
- Secondary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is completion rate, upper secondary education, rural, both sexes in South Africa?
- Completion rate, upper secondary education, rural, both sexes in South Africa was 51.3% in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest completion rate, upper secondary education, rural, both sexes recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 51.6% in 2021.
- What is the lowest completion rate, upper secondary education, rural, both sexes recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 33.5% in 2016.
- How does South Africa rank for completion rate, upper secondary education, rural, both sexes?
- South Africa ranks 51st out of 88 countries with data for 2024.
- Is completion rate, upper secondary education, rural, both sexes rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 53.3%. 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, rural, both sexes (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release