Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled in South Africa

South Africa: Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled was 818,404 in 2023. ▲ Rising

Latest (2023)
818,404
Change on year
up 3.3%
World rank
42nd
of 214 countries
All-time high
862,553
in 2015
All-time low
207,123
in 1999
Years of data
21
1994–2023

Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled in South Africa, 1994–2023

200.0k400.0k600.0k800.0k1994200820231994: 286.7k1995: 307.9k1996: 329.1k1997: 288.8k1998: 248.5k1999: 207.1k2000: 320.6k2010: 756.8k2011: 753.1k2012: 815.9k2013: 822.7k2014: 856.8k2015: 862.6k2016: 847.1k2017: 862.2k2018: 824.2k2019: 835.8k2020: 821.8k2021: 798.8k2022: 792.4k2023: 818.4k

Source: Statizoid (derived).

Analysis

The most recent figure for enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled in South Africa is 818,404, measured in 2023.

That represents a change of up 3.3% on the previous year and down 0.5% over ten years.

Over the whole period, enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled in South Africa peaked at 862,553 in 2015 and was at its lowest, 207,123, in 1999.

South Africa ranks 42nd of 214 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 21 years of available data.

Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled in South Africa, 1994 to 2023.
Year Value Change
1994 286,663
1995 307,866 +7.4%
1996 329,070 +6.9%
1997 288,770 -12.2%
1998 248,469 -14.0%
1999 207,123 -16.6%
2000 320,637 +54.8%
2010 756,822 +136.0%
2011 753,131 -0.5%
2012 815,935 +8.3%
2013 822,731 +0.8%
2014 856,764 +4.1%
2015 862,553 +0.7%
2016 847,064 -1.8%
2017 862,195 +1.8%
2018 824,169 -4.4%
2019 835,827 +1.4%
2020 821,819 -1.7%
2021 798,777 -2.8%
2022 792,383 -0.8%
2023 818,404 +3.3%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 277,994 207,123 329,070 6
2000s 320,637 320,637 320,637 1
2010s 823,719 753,131 862,553 10
2020s 807,846 792,383 821,819 4

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 39 Korea 846,694 compare
  2. 40 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 837,832 compare
  3. 41 Angola 824,628 compare
  4. 43 Ukraine 750,255 compare
  5. 44 Guatemala 663,774 compare
  6. 45 Zambia 651,791 compare

See the full ranking of 435 places →

More education data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled in South Africa?
Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled in South Africa was 818,404 in 2023, according to Statizoid (derived).
What is the highest enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 862,553 in 2015.
What is the lowest enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 207,123 in 1999.
How does South Africa rank for enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled?
South Africa ranks 42nd out of 214 countries with data for 2023.
Is enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is down 0.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from Statizoid (derived), published as part of Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on Statizoid (derived). Retrieved 11 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/stat/enrolment-in-pre-primary-education-both-sexes-number-gaps-filled-2/south-africa/

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<a href="https://education.statizoid.com/stat/enrolment-in-pre-primary-education-both-sexes-number-gaps-filled-2/south-africa/">Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled in South Africa</a> — Statizoid

How this figure is calculated

Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number) with 690 missing years estimated by linear interpolation between the nearest real observations. Only gaps of 4 years or fewer are filled, and never beyond the first or last actual measurement — these are filled holes, not forecasts.

Computed from

Statizoid computes this series; the underlying measurements belong to the publishers named above. The arithmetic is applied to every country and year where both inputs report, and nothing is estimated unless the page says so.

About this data

Indicator
Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled
Source
Statizoid (derived)
Licence
Derived by Statizoid from the sources named on the page
Coverage
435 places, 19,298 data points, 1970–2025
Last refreshed

Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number) with 690 missing years estimated by linear interpolation between the nearest real observations. Only gaps of 4 years or fewer are filled, and never beyond the first or last actual measurement — these are filled holes, not forecasts.