Inbound internationally mobile students from sub-Saharan Africa, both in South Africa

South Africa: Inbound internationally mobile students from sub-Saharan Africa, both was 28,606 in 2023. ▬ Flat

Latest (2023)
28,606
Change on year
up 10.3%
World rank
5th
of 136 countries
All-time high
61,396
in 2011
All-time low
14,987
in 1999
Years of data
25
1999–2023

Inbound internationally mobile students from sub-Saharan Africa, both in South Africa, 1999–2023

10.0k20.0k30.0k40.0k50.0k60.0k1999201120231999: 15.0k2000: 21.3k2001: 25.5k2002: 31.7k2003: 36.2k2004: 36.3k2005: 35.1k2006: 35.9k2007: 41.7k2008: 46.9k2009: 43.6k2010: 48.2k2011: 61.4k2012: 32.9k2013: 33.9k2014: 34.0k2015: 34.3k2016: 35.2k2017: 34.6k2018: 34.8k2019: 33.3k2020: 29.8k2021: 28.4k2022: 25.9k2023: 28.6k

Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.

Analysis

The most recent figure for inbound internationally mobile students from sub-saharan africa, both in South Africa is 28,606, measured in 2023.

That represents a change of up 10.3% on the previous year and down 15.7% over ten years.

Over the whole period, inbound internationally mobile students from sub-saharan africa, both in South Africa peaked at 61,396 in 2011 and was at its lowest, 14,987, in 1999.

That places South Africa 5th out of 136 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top 10%.

Inbound internationally mobile students from sub-Saharan Africa, both in South Africa, year by year

Annual values for Inbound internationally mobile students from sub-Saharan Africa, both sexes (UIS estimate) (number) in South Africa, 1999 to 2023.
Year Value Change
1999 14,987
2000 21,318 +42.2%
2001 25,546 +19.8%
2002 31,724 +24.2%
2003 36,203 +14.1%
2004 36,302 +0.3%
2005 35,094 -3.3%
2006 35,928 +2.4%
2007 41,713 +16.1%
2008 46,857 +12.3%
2009 43,587 -7.0%
2010 48,234 +10.7%
2011 61,396 +27.3%
2012 32,905 -46.4%
2013 33,940 +3.1%
2014 34,000 +0.2%
2015 34,279 +0.8%
2016 35,164 +2.6%
2017 34,626 -1.5%
2018 34,787 +0.5%
2019 33,281 -4.3%
2020 29,816 -10.4%
2021 28,424 -4.7%
2022 25,945 -8.7%
2023 28,606 +10.3%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 14,987 14,987 14,987 1
2000s 35,427 21,318 46,857 10
2010s 38,261 32,905 61,396 10
2020s 28,198 25,945 29,816 4

Countries ranked near South Africa

  1. 2 France 68,550 compare
  2. 3 United States of America 48,177 compare
  3. 4 Canada 32,763 compare
  4. 6 Türkiye 27,747 compare
  5. 7 Portugal 23,228 compare
  6. 8 Germany 20,968 compare

See the full ranking of 249 places →

More education data for South Africa

All data for South Africa →

Frequently asked questions

What is inbound internationally mobile students from sub-saharan africa, both in South Africa?
Inbound internationally mobile students from sub-saharan africa, both in South Africa was 28,606 in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
What is the highest inbound internationally mobile students from sub-saharan africa, both recorded in South Africa?
The highest recorded value was 61,396 in 2011.
What is the lowest inbound internationally mobile students from sub-saharan africa, both recorded in South Africa?
The lowest recorded value was 14,987 in 1999.
How does South Africa rank for inbound internationally mobile students from sub-saharan africa, both?
South Africa ranks 5th out of 136 countries with data for 2023.
Is inbound internationally mobile students from sub-saharan africa, both rising or falling in South Africa?
Over the last ten years it is down 15.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
Where does this South Africa data come from?
The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Inbound internationally mobile students from sub-Saharan Africa, both sexes (UIS estimate) (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Inbound internationally mobile students from sub-Saharan Africa, both in South Africa. Statizoid, drawing on UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Retrieved 08 September 2026, from https://education.statizoid.com/stat/inbound-internationally-mobile-students-from-sub-saharan-africa-both-sexes-uis-estimate/south-africa/

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About this data

Indicator
Inbound internationally mobile students from sub-Saharan Africa, both sexes (UIS estimate) (number)
Source
UNESCO Institute for Statistics
Licence
CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics)
Coverage
249 places, 4,290 data points, 1997–2024
Last refreshed

February 2026 Data Release