Current education expenditure, total in South Africa
South Africa: Current education expenditure, total was 97.1% in 2024. ▬ Flat
Current education expenditure, total in South Africa, 2003–2024
Source: Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Measured in % of total expenditure in public institutions.
Analysis
The most recent figure for current education expenditure, total in South Africa is 97.1%, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of up 0.5% on the previous year and up 0.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, current education expenditure, total in South Africa peaked at 97.9% in 2003 and was at its lowest, 87.2%, in 2005.
That places South Africa 24th out of 123 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
Current education expenditure, total in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % of total expenditure in public institutions | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 97.9% | — |
| 2005 | 87.2% | -10.9% |
| 2006 | 96.5% | +10.7% |
| 2007 | 96.5% | +0.0% |
| 2008 | 96.9% | +0.4% |
| 2009 | 96.2% | -0.7% |
| 2014 | 96.7% | +0.5% |
| 2016 | 94.7% | -2.1% |
| 2017 | 95.0% | +0.4% |
| 2018 | 95.1% | +0.0% |
| 2019 | 95.8% | +0.8% |
| 2020 | 96.0% | +0.2% |
| 2021 | 96.5% | +0.5% |
| 2022 | 96.8% | +0.3% |
| 2023 | 96.7% | -0.1% |
| 2024 | 97.1% | +0.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 95.2% | 87.2% | 97.9% | 6 |
| 2010s | 95.4% | 94.7% | 96.7% | 5 |
| 2020s | 96.6% | 96.0% | 97.1% | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 21 Palestine, State of 97.8% compare
- 22 Togo 97.6% compare
- 23 Serbia 97.5% compare
- 25 Costa Rica 97.1% compare
- 26 Malawi 96.9% compare
- 27 Madagascar 96.9% 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 current education expenditure, total in South Africa?
- Current education expenditure, total in South Africa was 97.1% in 2024, according to Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
- What is the highest current education expenditure, total recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 97.9% in 2003.
- What is the lowest current education expenditure, total recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 87.2% in 2005.
- How does South Africa rank for current education expenditure, total?
- South Africa ranks 24th out of 123 countries with data for 2024.
- Is current education expenditure, total rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 0.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), published as part of Current education expenditure, total (% of total expenditure in public institutions). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Current expenditure is expressed as a percentage of direct expenditure in public educational institutions (instructional and non-instructional) of the specified level of education. Financial aid to students and other transfers are excluded from direct expenditure. Current expenditure is consumed within the current year and would have to be renewed if needed in the following year. It includes staff compensation and current expenditure other than for staff compensation (ex. on teaching materials, ancillary services and administration).