Educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population in South Africa
South Africa: Educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population was 51.1% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population in South Africa, 2001–2024
Source: Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Measured in cumulative.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 51.1% for educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population in 2024. That is the highest value across all 21 years on record.
The figure is up 5.1% on the previous year and up 254.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population in South Africa peaked at 51.1% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 8.4%, in 2001.
South Africa ranks 20th of 111 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population in South Africa, year by year
| Year | cumulative | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 8.4% | — |
| 2002 | 9.7% | +14.8% |
| 2003 | 10.0% | +3.4% |
| 2004 | 10.5% | +4.6% |
| 2005 | 10.3% | -2.0% |
| 2006 | 10.1% | -2.0% |
| 2007 | 10.1% | +0.4% |
| 2008 | 11.6% | +14.4% |
| 2009 | 11.9% | +3.2% |
| 2010 | 11.8% | -1.0% |
| 2011 | 12.3% | +4.4% |
| 2012 | 13.0% | +5.7% |
| 2013 | 13.7% | +5.4% |
| 2014 | 14.4% | +5.0% |
| 2015 | 15.0% | +3.8% |
| 2016 | 14.6% | -2.6% |
| 2017 | 13.7% | -6.1% |
| 2018 | 14.9% | +9.2% |
| 2019 | 15.5% | +3.7% |
| 2021 | 48.6% | +213.7% |
| 2024 | 51.1% | +5.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 10.3% | 8.4% | 11.9% | 9 |
| 2010s | 13.9% | 11.8% | 15.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 49.8% | 48.6% | 51.1% | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More education data for South Africa
- 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)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 7.52 million (2023)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), annual growth -1.44 % change on previous year (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population in South Africa?
- Educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population in South Africa was 51.1% in 2024, according to Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
- What is the highest educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 51.1% in 2024.
- What is the lowest educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 8.4% in 2001.
- How does South Africa rank for educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population?
- South Africa ranks 20th out of 111 countries with data for 2024.
- Is educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 254.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- 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 Educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population 25+, female (%) (cumulative). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The percentage of population ages 25 and over that attained or completed post-secondary non-tertiary education.