Government expenditure on post-secondary non-tertiary education in South Africa
South Africa: Government expenditure on post-secondary non-tertiary education was 1,391 millions in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Government expenditure on post-secondary non-tertiary education in South Africa, 1999–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in millions.
Analysis
In 2024, government expenditure on post-secondary non-tertiary education in South Africa stood at 1,391 millions.
The figure is up 54.0% on the previous year and down 16.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, government expenditure on post-secondary non-tertiary education in South Africa peaked at 1,763 millions in 2016 and was at its lowest, 0 millions, in 1999.
That places South Africa 6th out of 92 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Government expenditure on post-secondary non-tertiary education in South Africa, year by year
| Year | millions | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 0 millions | — |
| 2000 | 0 millions | — |
| 2003 | 0 millions | — |
| 2006 | 539.79 millions | — |
| 2007 | 688.64 millions | +27.6% |
| 2008 | 782.47 millions | +13.6% |
| 2009 | 902.15 millions | +15.3% |
| 2010 | 871.55 millions | -3.4% |
| 2011 | 312.18 millions | -64.2% |
| 2012 | 445.89 millions | +42.8% |
| 2013 | 1,550 millions | +247.6% |
| 2014 | 1,660 millions | +7.1% |
| 2015 | 1,676 millions | +1.0% |
| 2016 | 1,763 millions | +5.2% |
| 2017 | 1,710 millions | -3.0% |
| 2018 | 881.57 millions | -48.4% |
| 2019 | 1,229 millions | +39.4% |
| 2020 | 1,482 millions | +20.6% |
| 2021 | 1,203 millions | -18.8% |
| 2022 | 894.05 millions | -25.7% |
| 2023 | 903.61 millions | +1.1% |
| 2024 | 1,391 millions | +54.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 0 millions | 0 millions | 0 millions | 1 |
| 2000s | 485.51 millions | 0 millions | 902.15 millions | 6 |
| 2010s | 1,210 millions | 312.18 millions | 1,763 millions | 10 |
| 2020s | 1,175 millions | 894.05 millions | 1,482 millions | 5 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More education data for South Africa
- 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)
- 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)
Frequently asked questions
- What is government expenditure on post-secondary non-tertiary education in South Africa?
- Government expenditure on post-secondary non-tertiary education in South Africa was 1,391 millions in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest government expenditure on post-secondary non-tertiary education recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 1,763 millions in 2016.
- What is the lowest government expenditure on post-secondary non-tertiary education recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0 millions in 1999.
- How does South Africa rank for government expenditure on post-secondary non-tertiary education?
- South Africa ranks 6th out of 92 countries with data for 2024.
- Is government expenditure on post-secondary non-tertiary education rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 16.2%. 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 Government expenditure on post-secondary non-tertiary education, constant PPP$ (millions). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release