Government expenditure on tertiary education, US$ in South Africa
South Africa: Government expenditure on tertiary education, US$ was 4,474 millions in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
4,474 millions
Change on year
down 18.3%
World rank
28th
of 164 countries
All-time high
5,478 millions
in 2023
All-time low
792.75 millions
in 2003
Years of data
34
1987–2024
Government expenditure on tertiary education, US$ in South Africa, 1987–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in millions.
Analysis
In 2024, government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ in South Africa stood at 4,474 millions.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 18.3% on the previous year and up 65.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ in South Africa peaked at 5,478 millions in 2023 and was at its lowest, 792.75 millions, in 2003.
South Africa ranks 28th of 164 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, US$ in South Africa, year by year
| Year | millions | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 921.21 millions | — |
| 1988 | 1,186 millions | +28.8% |
| 1989 | 1,216 millions | +2.5% |
| 1990 | 1,346 millions | +10.7% |
| 1991 | 1,590 millions | +18.1% |
| 1993 | 1,235 millions | -22.3% |
| 1994 | 1,296 millions | +5.0% |
| 1996 | 1,479 millions | +14.2% |
| 1999 | 1,234 millions | -16.6% |
| 2000 | 1,082 millions | -12.3% |
| 2001 | 1,021 millions | -5.6% |
| 2002 | 901.79 millions | -11.7% |
| 2003 | 792.75 millions | -12.1% |
| 2004 | 1,184 millions | +49.3% |
| 2005 | 1,742 millions | +47.2% |
| 2006 | 1,680 millions | -3.6% |
| 2007 | 1,769 millions | +5.3% |
| 2008 | 1,895 millions | +7.1% |
| 2009 | 1,887 millions | -0.5% |
| 2010 | 2,011 millions | +6.6% |
| 2011 | 2,620 millions | +30.3% |
| 2012 | 3,161 millions | +20.6% |
| 2013 | 2,957 millions | -6.4% |
| 2014 | 2,703 millions | -8.6% |
| 2015 | 2,622 millions | -3.0% |
| 2016 | 2,148 millions | -18.1% |
| 2017 | 2,602 millions | +21.1% |
| 2018 | 3,284 millions | +26.2% |
| 2019 | 4,176 millions | +27.2% |
| 2020 | 4,500 millions | +7.7% |
| 2021 | 4,326 millions | -3.9% |
| 2022 | 5,474 millions | +26.5% |
| 2023 | 5,478 millions | +0.1% |
| 2024 | 4,474 millions | -18.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 1,108 millions | 921.21 millions | 1,216 millions | 3 |
| 1990s | 1,363 millions | 1,234 millions | 1,590 millions | 6 |
| 2000s | 1,395 millions | 792.75 millions | 1,895 millions | 10 |
| 2010s | 2,828 millions | 2,011 millions | 4,176 millions | 10 |
| 2020s | 4,851 millions | 4,326 millions | 5,478 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, us$ in South Africa?
- Government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ in South Africa was 4,474 millions in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 5,478 millions in 2023.
- What is the lowest government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 792.75 millions in 2003.
- How does South Africa rank for government expenditure on tertiary education, us$?
- South Africa ranks 28th out of 164 countries with data for 2024.
- Is government expenditure on tertiary education, us$ rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 65.5%. 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, US$ (millions). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release