Enrolment in primary education, both sexes in South Africa
South Africa: Enrolment in primary education, both sexes was 7.52 million in 2023. ▲ Rising
Latest (2023)
7.52 million
Change on year
down 1.4%
World rank
21st
of 218 countries
All-time high
8.16 million
in 1995
All-time low
3.99 million
in 1970
Years of data
42
1970–2023
Enrolment in primary education, both sexes in South Africa, 1970–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
The most recent figure for enrolment in primary education, both sexes in South Africa is 7.52 million, measured in 2023.
That represents a change of down 1.4% on the previous year and up 6.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in primary education, both sexes in South Africa peaked at 8.16 million in 1995 and was at its lowest, 3.99 million, in 1970.
South Africa ranks 21st of 218 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 42 years of available data.
Enrolment in primary education, both sexes in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 3.99 million | — |
| 1975 | 4.64 million | +16.2% |
| 1977 | 4.32 million | -6.7% |
| 1978 | 4.14 million | -4.2% |
| 1979 | 4.27 million | +3.0% |
| 1981 | 4.48 million | +5.0% |
| 1982 | 4.43 million | -1.2% |
| 1986 | 4.74 million | +7.0% |
| 1987 | 4.92 million | +3.9% |
| 1988 | 5.06 million | +2.7% |
| 1989 | 6.76 million | +33.7% |
| 1990 | 6.95 million | +2.9% |
| 1991 | 7.21 million | +3.7% |
| 1994 | 7.97 million | +10.6% |
| 1995 | 8.16 million | +2.4% |
| 1997 | 8.09 million | -0.8% |
| 1998 | 8.00 million | -1.1% |
| 1999 | 7.94 million | -0.8% |
| 2000 | 7.44 million | -6.2% |
| 2001 | 7.41 million | -0.4% |
| 2002 | 7.47 million | +0.7% |
| 2003 | 7.47 million | +0.1% |
| 2004 | 7.44 million | -0.4% |
| 2005 | 7.31 million | -1.7% |
| 2006 | 7.26 million | -0.8% |
| 2007 | 7.31 million | +0.8% |
| 2008 | 7.23 million | -1.1% |
| 2009 | 7.13 million | -1.4% |
| 2010 | 7.02 million | -1.5% |
| 2011 | 6.96 million | -0.8% |
| 2012 | 7.00 million | +0.6% |
| 2013 | 7.06 million | +0.8% |
| 2014 | 7.20 million | +1.9% |
| 2015 | 7.56 million | +5.0% |
| 2016 | 7.51 million | -0.6% |
| 2017 | 7.53 million | +0.3% |
| 2018 | 7.57 million | +0.5% |
| 2019 | 7.69 million | +1.6% |
| 2020 | 7.72 million | +0.4% |
| 2021 | 7.70 million | -0.2% |
| 2022 | 7.63 million | -0.9% |
| 2023 | 7.52 million | -1.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 4.27 million | 3.99 million | 4.64 million | 5 |
| 1980s | 5.06 million | 4.43 million | 6.76 million | 6 |
| 1990s | 7.76 million | 6.95 million | 8.16 million | 7 |
| 2000s | 7.35 million | 7.13 million | 7.47 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 7.31 million | 6.96 million | 7.69 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 7.64 million | 7.52 million | 7.72 million | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 18 Kenya 8.04 million compare
- 19 Mozambique 7.66 million compare
- 20 Russian Federation 7.55 million compare
- 22 Afghanistan 7.51 million compare
- 23 Japan 6.25 million compare
- 24 Türkiye 5.54 million 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 primary education, both sexes in South Africa?
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes in South Africa was 7.52 million in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in primary education, both sexes recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 8.16 million in 1995.
- What is the lowest enrolment in primary education, both sexes recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.99 million in 1970.
- How does South Africa rank for enrolment in primary education, both sexes?
- South Africa ranks 21st out of 218 countries with data for 2023.
- Is enrolment in primary education, both sexes rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 6.5%. 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 primary education, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release