Gross enrolment ratio, post-secondary non-tertiary, female in South Africa

South Africa: Gross enrolment ratio, post-secondary non-tertiary, female was 22.0% in 2023. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2023)
22.0%
Change on year
up 8.3%
World rank
45th
of 122 countries
All-time high
23.6%
in 2019
All-time low
5.9%
in 2001
Years of data
22
1999–2023

Gross enrolment ratio, post-secondary non-tertiary, female in South Africa, 1999–2023

5101520251999201120231999: 6.5 %2000: 6.7 %2001: 5.9 %2002: 6.3 %2003: 6.3 %2004: 6.4 %2005: 7.1 %2009: 6.8 %2010: 6.6 %2011: 7.7 %2012: 11.2 %2013: 14.5 %2014: 17.6 %2015: 19.8 %2016: 20.8 %2017: 23.3 %2018: 22.9 %2019: 23.6 %2020: 13.4 %2021: 21.2 %2022: 20.3 %2023: 22 %

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.

Analysis

South Africa recorded 22.0% for gross enrolment ratio, post-secondary non-tertiary, female in 2023.

That represents a change of up 8.3% on the previous year and up 52.0% over ten years.

Over the whole period, gross enrolment ratio, post-secondary non-tertiary, female in South Africa peaked at 23.6% in 2019 and was at its lowest, 5.9%, in 2001.

That places South Africa 45th out of 122 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the middle of the range.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Gross enrolment ratio, post-secondary non-tertiary, female in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Gross enrolment ratio, post-secondary non-tertiary, female (%) in South Africa, 1999 to 2023.
Year % Change
1999 6.5%
2000 6.7% +2.9%
2001 5.9% -13.0%
2002 6.3% +8.4%
2003 6.3% -0.5%
2004 6.4% +1.5%
2005 7.1% +11.3%
2009 6.8% -4.0%
2010 6.6% -3.2%
2011 7.7% +16.9%
2012 11.2% +45.2%
2013 14.5% +28.9%
2014 17.6% +21.4%
2015 19.8% +12.6%
2016 20.8% +4.8%
2017 23.3% +12.2%
2018 22.9% -1.8%
2019 23.6% +2.9%
2020 13.4% -42.9%
2021 21.2% +57.7%
2022 20.3% -4.1%
2023 22.0% +8.3%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 6.5% 6.5% 6.5% 1
2000s 6.5% 5.9% 7.1% 7
2010s 16.8% 6.6% 23.6% 10
2020s 19.3% 13.4% 22.0% 4

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 42 Switzerland 23.6% compare
  2. 43 Azerbaijan 23.4% compare
  3. 44 Saudi Arabia 22.6% compare
  4. 46 Kenya 21.4% compare
  5. 47 Austria 20.2% compare
  6. 48 Andorra 18.9% compare

See the full ranking of 124 places →

More education data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is gross enrolment ratio, post-secondary non-tertiary, female in South Africa?
Gross enrolment ratio, post-secondary non-tertiary, female in South Africa was 22.0% in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
What is the highest gross enrolment ratio, post-secondary non-tertiary, female recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 23.6% in 2019.
What is the lowest gross enrolment ratio, post-secondary non-tertiary, female recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 5.9% in 2001.
How does South Africa rank for gross enrolment ratio, post-secondary non-tertiary, female?
South Africa ranks 45th out of 122 countries with data for 2023.
Is gross enrolment ratio, post-secondary non-tertiary, female rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is up 52.0%. 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 Gross enrolment ratio, post-secondary non-tertiary, female (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Gross enrolment ratio, post-secondary non-tertiary, female in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 05 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/stat/gross-enrolment-ratio-post-secondary-non-tertiary-female-percent-2/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Gross enrolment ratio, post-secondary non-tertiary, female (%)
Unit
%
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics)
Coverage
124 places, 1,820 data points, 1998–2025
Last refreshed

February 2026 Data Release