Out-of-school children, one year before the official primary entry in South Africa
South Africa: Out-of-school children, one year before the official primary entry was 111,222 in 2023. ▼ Falling
Out-of-school children, one year before the official primary entry in South Africa, 1998–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
The most recent figure for out-of-school children, one year before the official primary entry in South Africa is 111,222, measured in 2023.
The figure is down 5.1% on the previous year and down 15.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, out-of-school children, one year before the official primary entry in South Africa peaked at 354,710 in 2000 and was at its lowest, 109,287, in 2020.
South Africa ranks 26th of 176 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 10 years of available data.
Out-of-school children, one year before the official primary entry in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 215,750 | — |
| 1999 | 250,473 | +16.1% |
| 2000 | 354,710 | +41.6% |
| 2015 | 131,553 | -62.9% |
| 2018 | 133,496 | +1.5% |
| 2019 | 134,618 | +0.8% |
| 2020 | 109,287 | -18.8% |
| 2021 | 120,460 | +10.2% |
| 2022 | 117,146 | -2.8% |
| 2023 | 111,222 | -5.1% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 111,222 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 3,587, 31.0× the median. (52 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 111,222 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 72,258, 1.5× the median. (32 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 233,112 | 215,750 | 250,473 | 2 |
| 2000s | 354,710 | 354,710 | 354,710 | 1 |
| 2010s | 133,222 | 131,553 | 134,618 | 3 |
| 2020s | 114,529 | 109,287 | 120,460 | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 23 Saudi Arabia 133,361 compare
- 24 India 127,870
- 25 Brazil 120,382 compare
- 27 Indonesia 109,884 compare
- 28 Syrian Arab Republic 107,869 compare
- 29 Tajikistan 103,051 compare
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 out-of-school children, one year before the official primary entry in South Africa?
- Out-of-school children, one year before the official primary entry in South Africa was 111,222 in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest out-of-school children, one year before the official primary entry recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 354,710 in 2000.
- What is the lowest out-of-school children, one year before the official primary entry recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 109,287 in 2020.
- How does South Africa rank for out-of-school children, one year before the official primary entry?
- South Africa ranks 26th out of 176 countries with data for 2023.
- Is out-of-school children, one year before the official primary entry rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 15.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Out-of-school children, one year before the official primary entry age, male (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release