Enrolment in upper secondary education, both sexes in South Africa
South Africa: Enrolment in upper secondary education, both sexes was 3.25 million in 2023. ▲ Rising
Enrolment in upper secondary education, both sexes in South Africa, 1998–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
The most recent figure for enrolment in upper secondary education, both sexes in South Africa is 3.25 million, measured in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 2.1% on the previous year and up 16.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, enrolment in upper secondary education, both sexes in South Africa peaked at 3.25 million in 2015 and was at its lowest, 2.22 million, in 2000.
South Africa ranks 18th of 196 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 24 years of available data.
Enrolment in upper secondary education, both sexes in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 2.32 million | — |
| 1999 | 2.29 million | -1.3% |
| 2000 | 2.22 million | -3.1% |
| 2001 | 2.27 million | +2.0% |
| 2002 | 2.33 million | +2.8% |
| 2003 | 2.57 million | +10.3% |
| 2004 | 2.67 million | +3.9% |
| 2005 | 2.67 million | +0.2% |
| 2006 | 2.80 million | +4.6% |
| 2007 | 2.93 million | +4.6% |
| 2008 | 2.84 million | -3.0% |
| 2009 | 2.77 million | -2.5% |
| 2010 | 2.68 million | -3.3% |
| 2011 | 2.70 million | +0.7% |
| 2012 | 2.78 million | +2.9% |
| 2015 | 3.25 million | +17.0% |
| 2016 | 3.18 million | -2.0% |
| 2017 | 3.07 million | -3.6% |
| 2018 | 2.89 million | -5.8% |
| 2019 | 2.97 million | +2.8% |
| 2020 | 2.95 million | -0.8% |
| 2021 | 3.16 million | +7.3% |
| 2022 | 3.18 million | +0.5% |
| 2023 | 3.25 million | +2.1% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 2.31 million | 2.29 million | 2.32 million | 2 |
| 2000s | 2.61 million | 2.22 million | 2.93 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.94 million | 2.68 million | 3.25 million | 8 |
| 2020s | 3.13 million | 2.95 million | 3.25 million | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
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 upper secondary education, both sexes in South Africa?
- Enrolment in upper secondary education, both sexes in South Africa was 3.25 million in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest enrolment in upper secondary education, both sexes recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 3.25 million in 2015.
- What is the lowest enrolment in upper secondary education, both sexes recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.22 million in 2000.
- How does South Africa rank for enrolment in upper secondary education, both sexes?
- South Africa ranks 18th out of 196 countries with data for 2023.
- Is enrolment in upper secondary education, both sexes rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 16.9%. 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 upper secondary education, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release