Educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population in South Africa
South Africa: Educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population was 50.7% 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
The most recent figure for educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population in South Africa is 50.7%, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 21 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 3.3% on the previous year and up 246.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population in South Africa peaked at 50.7% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 8.9%, in 2001.
That places South Africa 15th out of 110 countries with data for 2024, putting it 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 | 8.9% | — |
| 2002 | 10.3% | +15.5% |
| 2003 | 10.4% | +1.5% |
| 2004 | 10.9% | +4.5% |
| 2005 | 11.0% | +0.9% |
| 2006 | 10.3% | -6.0% |
| 2007 | 10.9% | +5.2% |
| 2008 | 12.0% | +10.5% |
| 2009 | 12.2% | +2.1% |
| 2010 | 12.4% | +1.3% |
| 2011 | 12.7% | +2.5% |
| 2012 | 13.6% | +6.9% |
| 2013 | 14.0% | +3.2% |
| 2014 | 14.6% | +4.1% |
| 2015 | 15.2% | +4.0% |
| 2016 | 14.3% | -6.2% |
| 2017 | 13.7% | -4.0% |
| 2018 | 14.8% | +7.8% |
| 2019 | 15.2% | +2.8% |
| 2021 | 49.1% | +223.4% |
| 2024 | 50.7% | +3.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 10.8% | 8.9% | 12.2% | 9 |
| 2010s | 14.0% | 12.4% | 15.2% | 10 |
| 2020s | 49.9% | 49.1% | 50.7% | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 12 Australia 52.4% compare
- 13 New Zealand 51.1% compare
- 14 Latvia 50.7% compare
- 16 United States of America 49.8% compare
- 17 Republic of Korea 49.6% compare
- 18 Estonia 49.5% compare
More education data for South Africa
- Enrolment in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 5.50 million (2023)
- Enrolment in secondary education, both sexes (number), annual growth 2.22 % change on previous year (2023)
- Teachers in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 287,310 (2023)
- Teachers in primary education, both sexes (number), annual growth rate 13.45 % change on previous year (2015)
- Enrolment in secondary education, female (number), gaps filled 2.82 million (2023)
- Enrolment in secondary education, female (number), annual growth rate 1.53 % change on previous year (2023)
- Enrolment in secondary education, male (number), gaps filled 2.68 million (2023)
- Enrolment in secondary education, male (number), annual growth rate 2.97 % change on previous year (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 818,404 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), annual 3.28 % 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 50.7% 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 50.7% in 2024.
- What is the lowest educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 8.9% in 2001.
- How does South Africa rank for educational attainment, at least completed post-secondary, population?
- South Africa ranks 15th out of 110 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 246.7%. 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+, total (%) (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.