Illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, urban, both sexes in South Africa
South Africa: Illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, urban, both sexes was 167,500 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, urban, both sexes in South Africa, 1996–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
The most recent figure for illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, urban, both sexes in South Africa is 167,500, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 10 years on record.
The figure is up 4.6% on the previous year and up 245.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, urban, both sexes in South Africa peaked at 167,500 in 2024 and was at its lowest, 39,333, in 2015.
That places South Africa 10th out of 42 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, urban, both sexes in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 147,535 | — |
| 2009 | 72,330 | -51.0% |
| 2010 | 59,043 | -18.4% |
| 2011 | 62,389 | +5.7% |
| 2012 | 40,840 | -34.5% |
| 2014 | 48,478 | +18.7% |
| 2015 | 39,333 | -18.9% |
| 2019 | 81,779 | +107.9% |
| 2021 | 160,145 | +95.8% |
| 2024 | 167,500 | +4.6% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 167,500 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 24,889, 6.7× the median. (21 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 167,500 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 273,909, 61% of the median. (7 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 147,535 | 147,535 | 147,535 | 1 |
| 2000s | 72,330 | 72,330 | 72,330 | 1 |
| 2010s | 55,310 | 39,333 | 81,779 | 6 |
| 2020s | 163,822 | 160,145 | 167,500 | 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, urban, both sexes in South Africa?
- Illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, urban, both sexes in South Africa was 167,500 in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, urban, both sexes recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 167,500 in 2024.
- What is the lowest illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, urban, both sexes recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 39,333 in 2015.
- How does South Africa rank for illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, urban, both sexes?
- South Africa ranks 10th out of 42 countries with data for 2024.
- Is illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, urban, both sexes rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 245.5%. 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 Illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, urban, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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CSV · JSON — 10 observations, free to reuse under CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics).
About this data
February 2026 Data Release