Illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, urban, female in South Africa
South Africa: Illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, urban, female was 61,099 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, urban, female in South Africa, 1996–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
The most recent figure for illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, urban, female in South Africa is 61,099, measured in 2024.
The figure is down 10.2% on the previous year and up 183.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, urban, female in South Africa peaked at 68,058 in 2021 and was at its lowest, 14,883, in 2012.
South Africa ranks 12th of 42 countries on this measure, 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, urban, female in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 66,078 | — |
| 2009 | 31,590 | -52.2% |
| 2010 | 26,371 | -16.5% |
| 2011 | 23,735 | -10.0% |
| 2012 | 14,883 | -37.3% |
| 2014 | 21,575 | +45.0% |
| 2015 | 18,179 | -15.7% |
| 2019 | 27,639 | +52.0% |
| 2021 | 68,058 | +146.2% |
| 2024 | 61,099 | -10.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 66,078 | 66,078 | 66,078 | 1 |
| 2000s | 31,590 | 31,590 | 31,590 | 1 |
| 2010s | 22,064 | 14,883 | 27,639 | 6 |
| 2020s | 64,578 | 61,099 | 68,058 | 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, female in South Africa?
- Illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, urban, female in South Africa was 61,099 in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, urban, female recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 68,058 in 2021.
- What is the lowest illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, urban, female recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 14,883 in 2012.
- How does South Africa rank for illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, urban, female?
- South Africa ranks 12th out of 42 countries with data for 2024.
- Is illiterate youth population, 15-24 years, urban, female rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 183.2%. 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, female (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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