Educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population in South Africa
South Africa: Educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population was 50.2% 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
In 2024, educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population in South Africa stood at 50.2%. That is the highest value across all 21 years on record.
The figure is up 1.3% on the previous year and up 238.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population in South Africa peaked at 50.2% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 9.4%, in 2001.
South Africa ranks 11th of 108 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
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 | 9.4% | — |
| 2002 | 10.9% | +16.0% |
| 2003 | 10.9% | -0.5% |
| 2004 | 11.3% | +4.4% |
| 2005 | 11.8% | +3.9% |
| 2006 | 10.6% | -9.9% |
| 2007 | 11.7% | +10.3% |
| 2008 | 12.5% | +6.7% |
| 2009 | 12.6% | +1.0% |
| 2010 | 13.1% | +3.9% |
| 2011 | 13.2% | +0.7% |
| 2012 | 14.3% | +8.0% |
| 2013 | 14.4% | +0.9% |
| 2014 | 14.8% | +3.2% |
| 2015 | 15.5% | +4.1% |
| 2016 | 13.9% | -10.0% |
| 2017 | 13.7% | -1.6% |
| 2018 | 14.6% | +6.3% |
| 2019 | 14.8% | +1.8% |
| 2021 | 49.6% | +234.5% |
| 2024 | 50.2% | +1.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 11.3% | 9.4% | 12.6% | 9 |
| 2010s | 14.2% | 13.1% | 15.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 49.9% | 49.6% | 50.2% | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 8 New Zealand 54.1% compare
- 9 Cayman Islands 54.0% compare
- 10 Bermuda 51.2% compare
- 12 Luxembourg 50.1% compare
- 13 Australia 48.8% compare
- 14 Armenia 48.8% compare
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 50.2% 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 50.2% in 2024.
- What is the lowest educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 9.4% in 2001.
- How does South Africa rank for educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population?
- South Africa ranks 11th out of 108 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 238.4%. 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+, male (%) (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.