Gross intake ratio to the last grade of primary education, adjusted in South Africa
South Africa: Gross intake ratio to the last grade of primary education, adjusted was 0.9826 GPIA in 2023. ▼ Falling
Gross intake ratio to the last grade of primary education, adjusted in South Africa, 1991–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in GPIA.
Analysis
The most recent figure for gross intake ratio to the last grade of primary education, adjusted in South Africa is 0.9826 GPIA, measured in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 2.9% on the previous year and down 1.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, gross intake ratio to the last grade of primary education, adjusted in South Africa peaked at 1.14 GPIA in 1991 and was at its lowest, 0.9546 GPIA, in 2022.
South Africa ranks 152nd of 194 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 15 years of available data.
Gross intake ratio to the last grade of primary education, adjusted in South Africa, year by year
| Year | GPIA | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 1.14 GPIA | — |
| 1998 | 1.08 GPIA | -5.5% |
| 1999 | 1.07 GPIA | -0.7% |
| 2000 | 1.04 GPIA | -2.9% |
| 2002 | 1.06 GPIA | +2.1% |
| 2003 | 1.05 GPIA | -1.1% |
| 2004 | 1.01 GPIA | -3.5% |
| 2015 | 0.9946 GPIA | -2.0% |
| 2016 | 1.04 GPIA | +4.1% |
| 2018 | 1.05 GPIA | +1.2% |
| 2019 | 1.03 GPIA | -1.6% |
| 2020 | 1.03 GPIA | -0.6% |
| 2021 | 1.01 GPIA | -1.7% |
| 2022 | 0.9546 GPIA | -5.3% |
| 2023 | 0.9826 GPIA | +2.9% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 0.9826 GPIA is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 1.01 GPIA, 97% of the median. (56 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 0.9826 GPIA is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 1.02 GPIA, 97% of the median. (46 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 1.1 GPIA | 1.07 GPIA | 1.14 GPIA | 3 |
| 2000s | 1.04 GPIA | 1.01 GPIA | 1.06 GPIA | 4 |
| 2010s | 1.03 GPIA | 0.9946 GPIA | 1.05 GPIA | 4 |
| 2020s | 0.9927 GPIA | 0.9546 GPIA | 1.03 GPIA | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 149 Georgia 0.9848 GPIA compare
- 150 Kazakhstan 0.9848 GPIA compare
- 151 Czechia 0.9842 GPIA compare
- 153 Algeria 0.982 GPIA compare
- 154 Azerbaijan 0.9812 GPIA compare
- 155 Palestine, State of 0.9806 GPIA compare
More education data for South Africa
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 181,739 (2023)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 339,638 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 410,708 (2023)
- 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)
Frequently asked questions
- What is gross intake ratio to the last grade of primary education, adjusted in South Africa?
- Gross intake ratio to the last grade of primary education, adjusted in South Africa was 0.9826 GPIA in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest gross intake ratio to the last grade of primary education, adjusted recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 1.14 GPIA in 1991.
- What is the lowest gross intake ratio to the last grade of primary education, adjusted recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.9546 GPIA in 2022.
- How does South Africa rank for gross intake ratio to the last grade of primary education, adjusted?
- South Africa ranks 152nd out of 194 countries with data for 2023.
- Is gross intake ratio to the last grade of primary education, adjusted rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 1.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Gross intake ratio to the last grade of primary education, adjusted gender parity index (GPIA). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release