Enrolment in post-secondary non-tertiary education, both sexes in South Africa
South Africa: Enrolment in post-secondary non-tertiary education, both sexes was 318,664 in 2023. ▲ Rising
Enrolment in post-secondary non-tertiary education, both sexes in South Africa, 1999–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
In 2023, enrolment in post-secondary non-tertiary education, both sexes in South Africa stood at 318,664.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 10.4% on the previous year and up 17.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in post-secondary non-tertiary education, both sexes in South Africa peaked at 381,826 in 2017 and was at its lowest, 134,920, in 2001.
That places South Africa 13th out of 134 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 22 years of available data.
Enrolment in post-secondary non-tertiary education, both sexes in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 147,168 | — |
| 2000 | 152,137 | +3.4% |
| 2001 | 134,920 | -11.3% |
| 2002 | 161,036 | +19.4% |
| 2003 | 170,793 | +6.1% |
| 2004 | 181,062 | +6.0% |
| 2005 | 150,618 | -16.8% |
| 2009 | 151,421 | +0.5% |
| 2010 | 146,060 | -3.5% |
| 2011 | 160,314 | +9.8% |
| 2012 | 214,436 | +33.8% |
| 2013 | 271,882 | +26.8% |
| 2014 | 313,495 | +15.3% |
| 2015 | 351,256 | +12.0% |
| 2016 | 362,971 | +3.3% |
| 2017 | 381,826 | +5.2% |
| 2018 | 369,466 | -3.2% |
| 2019 | 375,239 | +1.6% |
| 2020 | 214,139 | -42.9% |
| 2021 | 315,032 | +47.1% |
| 2022 | 288,587 | -8.4% |
| 2023 | 318,664 | +10.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 147,168 | 147,168 | 147,168 | 1 |
| 2000s | 157,427 | 134,920 | 181,062 | 7 |
| 2010s | 294,694 | 146,060 | 381,826 | 10 |
| 2020s | 284,106 | 214,139 | 318,664 | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 10 Bangladesh 420,816 compare
- 11 Tanzania, United Republic of 403,910 compare
- 12 Australia 378,656 compare
- 14 Poland 243,008 compare
- 15 Kazakhstan 221,523 compare
- 16 Egypt 214,485 compare
More education data for South Africa
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 181,739 (2023)
- 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)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in post-secondary non-tertiary education, both sexes in South Africa?
- Enrolment in post-secondary non-tertiary education, both sexes in South Africa was 318,664 in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in post-secondary non-tertiary education, both sexes recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 381,826 in 2017.
- What is the lowest enrolment in post-secondary non-tertiary education, both sexes recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 134,920 in 2001.
- How does South Africa rank for enrolment in post-secondary non-tertiary education, both sexes?
- South Africa ranks 13th out of 134 countries with data for 2023.
- Is enrolment in post-secondary non-tertiary education, both sexes rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 17.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Enrolment in post-secondary non-tertiary education, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release