Literacy rate, population 25-64 years, urban, adjusted gender parity in South Africa
South Africa: Literacy rate, population 25-64 years, urban, adjusted gender parity was 1.01 GPIA in 2024. ▬ Flat
Literacy rate, population 25-64 years, urban, adjusted gender parity in South Africa, 1996–2024
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in GPIA.
Analysis
In 2024, literacy rate, population 25-64 years, urban, adjusted gender parity in South Africa stood at 1.01 GPIA.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, literacy rate, population 25-64 years, urban, adjusted gender parity in South Africa peaked at 1.03 GPIA in 2016 and was at its lowest, 0.99 GPIA, in 2009.
That places South Africa 1st out of 57 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
Literacy rate, population 25-64 years, urban, adjusted gender parity in South Africa, year by year
| Year | GPIA | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 1 GPIA | — |
| 2009 | 0.99 GPIA | -1.0% |
| 2010 | 1 GPIA | +1.0% |
| 2011 | 1 GPIA | +0.0% |
| 2012 | 1 GPIA | +0.0% |
| 2014 | 1 GPIA | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 1 GPIA | +0.0% |
| 2016 | 1.03 GPIA | +3.0% |
| 2019 | 1 GPIA | -2.9% |
| 2021 | 1.01 GPIA | +1.0% |
| 2024 | 1.01 GPIA | +0.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 1 GPIA | 1 GPIA | 1 GPIA | 1 |
| 2000s | 0.99 GPIA | 0.99 GPIA | 0.99 GPIA | 1 |
| 2010s | 1 GPIA | 1 GPIA | 1.03 GPIA | 7 |
| 2020s | 1.01 GPIA | 1.01 GPIA | 1.01 GPIA | 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 literacy rate, population 25-64 years, urban, adjusted gender parity in South Africa?
- Literacy rate, population 25-64 years, urban, adjusted gender parity in South Africa was 1.01 GPIA in 2024, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest literacy rate, population 25-64 years, urban, adjusted gender parity recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 1.03 GPIA in 2016.
- What is the lowest literacy rate, population 25-64 years, urban, adjusted gender parity recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.99 GPIA in 2009.
- How does South Africa rank for literacy rate, population 25-64 years, urban, adjusted gender parity?
- South Africa ranks 1st out of 57 countries with data for 2024.
- Is literacy rate, population 25-64 years, urban, adjusted gender parity rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 1.0%. 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 Literacy rate, population 25-64 years, urban, adjusted gender parity index (GPIA). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release