Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in South Africa
South Africa: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes was 1.19 million in 2023. ▲ Rising
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in South Africa, 1970–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
In 2023, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in South Africa stood at 1.19 million.
That represents a change of down 2.5% on the previous year and up 15.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in South Africa peaked at 1.22 million in 2022 and was at its lowest, 82,697, in 1970.
South Africa ranks 37th of 200 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 tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 82,697 | — |
| 1973 | 98,577 | +19.2% |
| 1988 | 378,731 | +284.2% |
| 1989 | 421,152 | +11.2% |
| 1990 | 439,007 | +4.2% |
| 1991 | 467,129 | +6.4% |
| 1992 | 490,112 | +4.9% |
| 1993 | 552,948 | +12.8% |
| 1994 | 617,897 | +11.7% |
| 2012 | 1.01 million | +62.8% |
| 2013 | 1.04 million | +3.0% |
| 2014 | 1.02 million | -1.6% |
| 2015 | 1.05 million | +3.2% |
| 2016 | 1.05 million | +0.3% |
| 2017 | 1.12 million | +5.9% |
| 2018 | 1.18 million | +5.5% |
| 2019 | 1.17 million | -0.4% |
| 2020 | 1.18 million | +1.0% |
| 2021 | 1.16 million | -1.8% |
| 2022 | 1.22 million | +5.3% |
| 2023 | 1.19 million | -2.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 90,637 | 82,697 | 98,577 | 2 |
| 1980s | 399,942 | 378,731 | 421,152 | 2 |
| 1990s | 513,419 | 439,007 | 617,897 | 5 |
| 2010s | 1.08 million | 1.01 million | 1.18 million | 8 |
| 2020s | 1.19 million | 1.16 million | 1.22 million | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More education data for South Africa
- 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)
- Secondary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 7.52 million (2023)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), annual growth -1.44 % change on previous year (2023)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), per capita 0.119 units per person (2023)
- Enrolment in primary education, female (number), gaps filled 3.65 million (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in South Africa?
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in South Africa was 1.19 million in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 1.22 million in 2022.
- What is the lowest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 82,697 in 1970.
- How does South Africa rank for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes?
- South Africa ranks 37th out of 200 countries with data for 2023.
- Is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 15.2%. 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 tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release