Educational attainment, at least Master's or equivalent, population in South Africa
South Africa: Educational attainment, at least Master's or equivalent, population was 2.6% 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 2.6%. That is the highest value across all 15 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 219.5% on the previous year and up 242.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, educational attainment, at least master's or equivalent, population in South Africa peaked at 2.6% in 2024 and was at its lowest, 0.6%, in 2013.
South Africa ranks 58th of 81 countries on this measure, 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 | 0.7% | — |
| 2009 | 0.7% | -5.4% |
| 2010 | 0.7% | +7.6% |
| 2011 | 0.9% | +18.9% |
| 2013 | 0.6% | -25.4% |
| 2014 | 0.8% | +19.1% |
| 2015 | 1.2% | +56.1% |
| 2017 | 1.5% | +23.9% |
| 2018 | 0.7% | -54.5% |
| 2019 | 0.8% | +20.3% |
| 2020 | 0.7% | -15.5% |
| 2021 | 2.1% | +205.2% |
| 2022 | 0.8% | -58.9% |
| 2023 | 0.8% | -4.6% |
| 2024 | 2.6% | +219.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 0.7% | 0.7% | 0.7% | 2 |
| 2010s | 0.9% | 0.6% | 1.5% | 8 |
| 2020s | 1.4% | 0.7% | 2.6% | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More education data for South Africa
- Enrolment in primary education, female (number), gaps filled 3.65 million (2023)
- Enrolment in primary education, female (number), annual growth rate -1.31 % change on previous year (2023)
- Enrolment in primary education, female (number), per capita 0.0578 units per person (2023)
- Enrolment in primary education, male (number), gaps filled 3.87 million (2023)
- Enrolment in primary education, male (number), annual growth rate -1.55 % change on previous year (2023)
- Enrolment in primary education, male (number), per capita 0.0612 units per person (2023)
- 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)
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 2.6% 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 2.6% in 2024.
- What is the lowest educational attainment, at least master's or equivalent, population recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.6% in 2013.
- How does South Africa rank for educational attainment, at least master's or equivalent, population?
- South Africa ranks 58th out of 81 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 242.2%. 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+, 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 Master's or equivalent.