Illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, rural, both sexes in South Africa
South Africa: Illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, rural, both sexes was 128,488 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, rural, both sexes in South Africa, 1996–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
In 2024, illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, rural, both sexes in South Africa stood at 128,488.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 28.5% on the previous year and up 77.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, rural, both sexes in South Africa peaked at 372,503 in 1996 and was at its lowest, 72,577, in 2014.
That places South Africa 12th out of 42 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, rural, both sexes in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 372,503 | — |
| 2009 | 114,101 | -69.4% |
| 2010 | 93,766 | -17.8% |
| 2011 | 72,937 | -22.2% |
| 2012 | 82,817 | +13.5% |
| 2014 | 72,577 | -12.4% |
| 2015 | 72,994 | +0.6% |
| 2019 | 81,191 | +11.2% |
| 2021 | 179,803 | +121.5% |
| 2024 | 128,488 | -28.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 372,503 | 372,503 | 372,503 | 1 |
| 2000s | 114,101 | 114,101 | 114,101 | 1 |
| 2010s | 79,380 | 72,577 | 93,766 | 6 |
| 2020s | 154,146 | 128,488 | 179,803 | 2 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
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 illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, rural, both sexes in South Africa?
- Illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, rural, both sexes in South Africa was 128,488 in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, rural, both sexes recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 372,503 in 1996.
- What is the lowest illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, rural, both sexes recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 72,577 in 2014.
- How does South Africa rank for illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, rural, both sexes?
- South Africa ranks 12th out of 42 countries with data for 2024.
- Is illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, rural, both sexes rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 77.0%. 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 Illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, rural, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release