Out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes in South Africa
South Africa: Out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes was 6.1% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes in South Africa, 1970–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2023, out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes in South Africa stood at 6.1%.
That represents a change of up 5.0% on the previous year and up 23.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes in South Africa peaked at 32.2% in 1970 and was at its lowest, 3.8%, in 2021.
South Africa ranks 77th of 203 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.
Out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 32.2% | — |
| 1991 | 14.3% | -55.8% |
| 1994 | 16.5% | +15.7% |
| 1995 | 18.0% | +8.9% |
| 1998 | 18.2% | +1.1% |
| 1999 | 16.9% | -7.0% |
| 2000 | 17.8% | +5.2% |
| 2001 | 16.7% | -6.2% |
| 2002 | 15.1% | -9.3% |
| 2003 | 14.0% | -7.4% |
| 2004 | 13.3% | -5.0% |
| 2005 | 13.0% | -2.3% |
| 2015 | 4.9% | -62.3% |
| 2017 | 6.3% | +27.7% |
| 2018 | 9.3% | +48.3% |
| 2019 | 8.3% | -10.8% |
| 2020 | 8.1% | -1.8% |
| 2021 | 3.8% | -53.2% |
| 2022 | 5.8% | +51.5% |
| 2023 | 6.1% | +5.0% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 6.1% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 3.9%, 1.6× the median. (56 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 6.1% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 16.9%, 36% of the median. (45 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 32.2% | 32.2% | 32.2% | 1 |
| 1990s | 16.8% | 14.3% | 18.2% | 5 |
| 2000s | 15.0% | 13.0% | 17.8% | 6 |
| 2010s | 7.2% | 4.9% | 9.3% | 4 |
| 2020s | 6.0% | 3.8% | 8.1% | 4 |
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 out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes in South Africa?
- Out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes in South Africa was 6.1% in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 32.2% in 1970.
- What is the lowest out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.8% in 2021.
- How does South Africa rank for out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes?
- South Africa ranks 77th out of 203 countries with data for 2023.
- Is out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 23.4%. 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 Out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release