Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in South Africa
South Africa: Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes was 1.18 million number in 2018. ◆ Volatile
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in South Africa, 1970–2018
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in number.
Analysis
In 2018, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in South Africa stood at 1.18 million number. That is the highest value across all 16 years on record.
The figure is up 5.5% on the previous year and up 17.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in South Africa peaked at 1.18 million number in 2018 and was at its lowest, 82,697 number, in 1970.
South Africa ranks 36th of 193 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes in South Africa, year by year
| Year | number | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 82,697 number | — |
| 1973 | 98,577 number | +19.2% |
| 1988 | 378,731 number | +284.2% |
| 1989 | 421,152 number | +11.2% |
| 1990 | 439,007 number | +4.2% |
| 1991 | 467,129 number | +6.4% |
| 1992 | 490,112 number | +4.9% |
| 1993 | 552,948 number | +12.8% |
| 1994 | 617,897 number | +11.7% |
| 2012 | 1.01 million number | +62.8% |
| 2013 | 1.04 million number | +3.0% |
| 2014 | 1.02 million number | -1.6% |
| 2015 | 1.05 million number | +3.2% |
| 2016 | 1.05 million number | +0.3% |
| 2017 | 1.12 million number | +5.9% |
| 2018 | 1.18 million number | +5.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 90,637 number | 82,697 number | 98,577 number | 2 |
| 1980s | 399,942 number | 378,731 number | 421,152 number | 2 |
| 1990s | 513,419 number | 439,007 number | 617,897 number | 5 |
| 2010s | 1.07 million number | 1.01 million number | 1.18 million number | 7 |
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 1.18 million number in 2018, 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 1.18 million number in 2018.
- What is the lowest enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 82,697 number in 1970.
- How does South Africa rank for enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes?
- South Africa ranks 36th out of 193 countries with data for 2018.
- Is enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 17.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- 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
The total number of students enrolled at public and private tertiary education institutions.