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 824,169 number in 2018. ▲ Rising

Latest (2018)
824,169 number
Change on year
down 4.4%
World rank
39th
of 199 countries
All-time high
862,553 number
in 2015
All-time low
207,123 number
in 1999
Years of data
25
1994–2018

Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled in South Africa, 1994–2018

200.0k400.0k600.0k800.0k1994200620181994: 286.7k number1995: 307.9k number1996: 329.1k number1997: 288.8k number1998: 248.5k number1999: 207.1k number2000: 320.6k number2001: 359.1k number2002: 317.5k number2003: 344.9k number2004: 386.5k number2005: 438.8k number2006: 473.5k number2007: 521.9k number2008: 583.4k number2009: 667.0k number2010: 756.8k number2011: 753.1k number2012: 815.9k number2013: 822.7k number2014: 856.8k number2015: 862.6k number2016: 847.1k number2017: 862.2k number2018: 824.2k number

Source: Statizoid (derived). Measured in number.

Analysis

In 2018, enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled in South Africa stood at 824,169 number.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 4.4% on the previous year and up 41.3% over ten years.

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

South Africa ranks 39th of 199 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.

The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 25 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 2018.
Year number Change
1994 286,663 number
1995 307,866 number +7.4%
1996 329,070 number +6.9%
1997 288,770 number -12.2%
1998 248,469 number -14.0%
1999 207,123 number -16.6%
2000 320,637 number +54.8%
2001 359,094 number +12.0%
2002 317,537 number -11.6%
2003 344,932 number +8.6%
2004 386,539 number +12.1%
2005 438,838 number +13.5%
2006 473,549 number +7.9%
2007 521,895 number +10.2%
2008 583,424 number +11.8%
2009 666,998 number +14.3%
2010 756,822 number +13.5%
2011 753,131 number -0.5%
2012 815,935 number +8.3%
2013 822,731 number +0.8%
2014 856,764 number +4.1%
2015 862,553 number +0.7%
2016 847,064 number -1.8%
2017 862,195 number +1.8%
2018 824,169 number -4.4%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 277,994 number 207,123 number 329,070 number 6
2000s 441,344 number 317,537 number 666,998 number 10
2010s 822,374 number 753,131 number 862,553 number 9

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 36 Nepal 958,127 number compare
  2. 37 Madagascar 901,960 number compare
  3. 38 Uzbekistan 874,385 number compare
  4. 40 Angola 784,381 number compare
  5. 41 Morocco 761,726 number compare
  6. 42 Iran, Islamic Republic of 706,093 number compare

See the full ranking of 244 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 824,169 number in 2018, 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 number 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 number in 1999.
How does South Africa rank for enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled?
South Africa ranks 39th out of 199 countries with data for 2018.
Is enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 41.3%. 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/south-africa/

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<a href="https://education.statizoid.com/stat/enrolment-in-pre-primary-education-both-sexes-number-gaps-filled/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 579 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
Unit
number
Source
Statizoid (derived)
Licence
Derived by Statizoid from the sources named on the page
Coverage
244 places, 8,700 data points, 1970–2020
Last refreshed

Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number) with 579 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.