Gross intake ratio in first grade of primary education, total in South Africa

South Africa: Gross intake ratio in first grade of primary education, total was 103.7% in 2017. ▼ Falling

Latest (2017)
103.7%
Change on year
up 12.8%
World rank
79th
of 186 countries
All-time high
122.1%
in 2003
All-time low
91.9%
in 2016
Years of data
18
1991–2017

Gross intake ratio in first grade of primary education, total in South Africa, 1991–2017

02550751001251991200420171991: 121.3 % of relevant age group1998: 97 % of relevant age group1999: 112.3 % of relevant age group2000: 95.9 % of relevant age group2001: 104.5 % of relevant age group2002: 118.8 % of relevant age group2003: 122.1 % of relevant age group2004: 121.8 % of relevant age group2005: 120.4 % of relevant age group2009: 96.3 % of relevant age group2010: 98.2 % of relevant age group2011: 103.9 % of relevant age group2012: 100.4 % of relevant age group2013: 99.4 % of relevant age group2014: 96.4 % of relevant age group2015: 98 % of relevant age group2016: 91.9 % of relevant age group2017: 103.7 % of relevant age group

Source: Stat Bulk Data Download Service, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Measured in % of relevant age group.

Analysis

The most recent figure for gross intake ratio in first grade of primary education, total in South Africa is 103.7%, measured in 2017.

Compared with earlier readings it is up 12.8% on the previous year and down 13.9% over ten years.

Over the whole period, gross intake ratio in first grade of primary education, total in South Africa peaked at 122.1% in 2003 and was at its lowest, 91.9%, in 2016.

South Africa ranks 79th of 186 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 18 years of available data.

Gross intake ratio in first grade of primary education, total in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Gross intake ratio in first grade of primary education, total (% of relevant age group) in South Africa, 1991 to 2017.
Year % of relevant age group Change
1991 121.3%
1998 97.0% -20.0%
1999 112.3% +15.8%
2000 95.9% -14.6%
2001 104.5% +8.9%
2002 118.8% +13.7%
2003 122.1% +2.7%
2004 121.8% -0.3%
2005 120.4% -1.1%
2009 96.3% -20.0%
2010 98.2% +1.9%
2011 103.9% +5.9%
2012 100.4% -3.4%
2013 99.4% -1.0%
2014 96.4% -3.0%
2015 98.0% +1.6%
2016 91.9% -6.2%
2017 103.7% +12.8%

South Africa compared with similar countries

  • South Africa's 103.7% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 102.1%, 1.0× the median. (55 countries reporting)
  • South Africa's 103.7% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 106.3%, 98% of the median. (46 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 110.2% 97.0% 121.3% 3
2000s 111.4% 95.9% 122.1% 7
2010s 99.0% 91.9% 103.9% 8

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 76 Ghana 103.9% compare
  2. 77 Israel 103.8% compare
  3. 78 Lithuania 103.7% compare
  4. 80 Gambia 103.6% compare
  5. 81 Yemen 103.2% compare
  6. 82 Mauritius 102.9% compare

See the full ranking of 229 places →

More education data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is gross intake ratio in first grade of primary education, total in South Africa?
Gross intake ratio in first grade of primary education, total in South Africa was 103.7% in 2017, according to Stat Bulk Data Download Service, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
What is the highest gross intake ratio in first grade of primary education, total recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 122.1% in 2003.
What is the lowest gross intake ratio in first grade of primary education, total recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 91.9% in 2016.
How does South Africa rank for gross intake ratio in first grade of primary education, total?
South Africa ranks 79th out of 186 countries with data for 2017.
Is gross intake ratio in first grade of primary education, total rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is down 13.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from Stat Bulk Data Download Service, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), published as part of Gross intake ratio in first grade of primary education, total (% of relevant age group). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Gross intake ratio in first grade of primary education, total in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on Stat Bulk Data Download Service, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Retrieved 13 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/stat/gross-intake-ratio-in-first-grade-of-primary-education-total-percent-of-relevant-age-group/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Gross intake ratio in first grade of primary education, total (% of relevant age group)
Unit
% of relevant age group
Source
Stat Bulk Data Download Service, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
229 places, 7,006 data points, 1970–2019
Last refreshed

Gross intake ratio in first grade of primary education is the number of new entrants in the first grade of primary education regardless of age, expressed as a percentage of the population of the official primary entrance age.