Completion rate, upper secondary education, urban, both sexes in South Africa
South Africa: Completion rate, upper secondary education, urban, both sexes was 68.1% in 2024. ▲ Rising
Completion rate, upper secondary education, urban, 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, urban, both sexes in South Africa is 68.1%, measured in 2024.
The figure is up 3.8% on the previous year and up 22.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, completion rate, upper secondary education, urban, both sexes in South Africa peaked at 69.5% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 55.0%, in 2011.
That places South Africa 53rd out of 90 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
Completion rate, upper secondary education, urban, both sexes in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 55.0% | — |
| 2016 | 55.7% | +1.3% |
| 2020 | 67.9% | +22.0% |
| 2021 | 69.5% | +2.3% |
| 2022 | 63.9% | -8.0% |
| 2023 | 65.6% | +2.6% |
| 2024 | 68.1% | +3.8% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 55.3% | 55.0% | 55.7% | 2 |
| 2020s | 67.0% | 63.9% | 69.5% | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 50 El Salvador 71.9% compare
- 51 Philippines 69.0% compare
- 52 Mexico 68.1% compare
- 54 Lao People's Democratic Republic 66.7% compare
- 55 Dominican Republic 65.4% compare
- 56 Jordan 64.7% compare
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, urban, both sexes in South Africa?
- Completion rate, upper secondary education, urban, both sexes in South Africa was 68.1% in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest completion rate, upper secondary education, urban, both sexes recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 69.5% in 2021.
- What is the lowest completion rate, upper secondary education, urban, both sexes recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 55.0% in 2011.
- How does South Africa rank for completion rate, upper secondary education, urban, both sexes?
- South Africa ranks 53rd out of 90 countries with data for 2024.
- Is completion rate, upper secondary education, urban, both sexes rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 22.3%. 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, urban, both sexes (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release