Educational attainment, at least Master's or equivalent, population in South Africa
South Africa: Educational attainment, at least Master's or equivalent, population was 2.5% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Educational attainment, at least Master's or equivalent, population in South Africa, 2008–2024
Source: Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Measured in cumulative.
Analysis
In 2024, educational attainment, at least master's or equivalent, population in South Africa stood at 2.5%. That is the highest value across all 16 years on record.
The figure is up 282.3% on the previous year and up 327.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, educational attainment, at least master's or equivalent, population in South Africa peaked at 2.5% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0.4%, in 2008.
That places South Africa 55th out of 77 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Educational attainment, at least Master's or equivalent, population in South Africa, year by year
| Year | cumulative | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 0.4% | — |
| 2009 | 0.4% | +2.4% |
| 2010 | 0.5% | +2.2% |
| 2011 | 0.6% | +25.8% |
| 2013 | 0.5% | -19.9% |
| 2014 | 0.6% | +28.4% |
| 2015 | 1.1% | +84.6% |
| 2016 | 0.4% | -59.6% |
| 2017 | 1.3% | +202.9% |
| 2018 | 0.6% | -57.4% |
| 2019 | 0.6% | +7.6% |
| 2020 | 0.5% | -23.0% |
| 2021 | 1.9% | +308.4% |
| 2022 | 0.7% | -63.4% |
| 2023 | 0.7% | -6.2% |
| 2024 | 2.5% | +282.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.4% | 2 |
| 2010s | 0.7% | 0.4% | 1.3% | 9 |
| 2020s | 1.3% | 0.5% | 2.5% | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More education data for South Africa
- 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)
- Secondary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is educational attainment, at least master's or equivalent, population in South Africa?
- Educational attainment, at least master's or equivalent, population in South Africa was 2.5% in 2024, according to Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
- What is the highest educational attainment, at least master's or equivalent, population recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 2.5% in 2024.
- What is the lowest educational attainment, at least master's or equivalent, population recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.4% in 2008.
- How does South Africa rank for educational attainment, at least master's or equivalent, population?
- South Africa ranks 55th out of 77 countries with data for 2024.
- Is educational attainment, at least master's or equivalent, population rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 327.2%. 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 Master's or equivalent, 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 Master's or equivalent.