Government expenditure on tertiary education, PPP$ in South Africa
South Africa: Government expenditure on tertiary education, PPP$ was 11,287 millions in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
11,287 millions
Change on year
down 8.9%
World rank
24th
of 148 countries
All-time high
12,395 millions
in 2023
All-time low
2,230 millions
in 1993
Years of data
30
1991–2024
Government expenditure on tertiary education, PPP$ in South Africa, 1991–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in millions.
Analysis
In 2024, government expenditure on tertiary education, ppp$ in South Africa stood at 11,287 millions.
That represents a change of down 8.9% on the previous year and up 129.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, government expenditure on tertiary education, ppp$ in South Africa peaked at 12,395 millions in 2023 and was at its lowest, 2,230 millions, in 1993.
South Africa ranks 24th of 148 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Government expenditure on tertiary education, PPP$ in South Africa, year by year
| Year | millions | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 3,268 millions | — |
| 1993 | 2,230 millions | -31.8% |
| 1994 | 2,430 millions | +9.0% |
| 1996 | 2,638 millions | +8.6% |
| 1999 | 2,782 millions | +5.5% |
| 2000 | 2,558 millions | -8.0% |
| 2001 | 2,568 millions | +0.4% |
| 2002 | 2,670 millions | +3.9% |
| 2003 | 2,593 millions | -2.9% |
| 2004 | 2,663 millions | +2.7% |
| 2005 | 3,242 millions | +21.7% |
| 2006 | 3,005 millions | -7.3% |
| 2007 | 3,275 millions | +9.0% |
| 2008 | 3,464 millions | +5.8% |
| 2009 | 3,821 millions | +10.3% |
| 2010 | 3,868 millions | +1.3% |
| 2011 | 4,153 millions | +7.4% |
| 2012 | 4,805 millions | +15.7% |
| 2013 | 4,755 millions | -1.0% |
| 2014 | 4,929 millions | +3.6% |
| 2015 | 5,109 millions | +3.7% |
| 2016 | 4,708 millions | -7.9% |
| 2017 | 6,224 millions | +32.2% |
| 2018 | 6,816 millions | +9.5% |
| 2019 | 8,062 millions | +18.3% |
| 2020 | 9,202 millions | +14.1% |
| 2021 | 9,823 millions | +6.7% |
| 2022 | 10,969 millions | +11.7% |
| 2023 | 12,395 millions | +13.0% |
| 2024 | 11,287 millions | -8.9% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 2,670 millions | 2,230 millions | 3,268 millions | 5 |
| 2000s | 2,986 millions | 2,558 millions | 3,821 millions | 10 |
| 2010s | 5,343 millions | 3,868 millions | 8,062 millions | 10 |
| 2020s | 10,735 millions | 9,202 millions | 12,395 millions | 5 |
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 government expenditure on tertiary education, ppp$ in South Africa?
- Government expenditure on tertiary education, ppp$ in South Africa was 11,287 millions in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest government expenditure on tertiary education, ppp$ recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 12,395 millions in 2023.
- What is the lowest government expenditure on tertiary education, ppp$ recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 2,230 millions in 1993.
- How does South Africa rank for government expenditure on tertiary education, ppp$?
- South Africa ranks 24th out of 148 countries with data for 2024.
- Is government expenditure on tertiary education, ppp$ rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 129.0%. 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 tertiary education, PPP$ (millions). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 30 observations, free to reuse under CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics).
About this data
February 2026 Data Release