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 11.0% in 2018. ◆ Volatile
Out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes in South Africa, 1970–2018
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 11.0% for out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes in 2018.
The figure is up 45.8% on the previous year and up 99.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes in South Africa peaked at 32.3% in 1970 and was at its lowest, 4.4%, in 2015.
South Africa ranks 42nd of 188 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
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 | 32.3% | — |
| 1991 | 12.9% | -60.1% |
| 1994 | 10.9% | -15.5% |
| 1995 | 10.3% | -5.7% |
| 1998 | 9.8% | -4.3% |
| 1999 | 8.7% | -11.8% |
| 2000 | 9.9% | +13.9% |
| 2001 | 9.0% | -8.9% |
| 2002 | 7.8% | -12.7% |
| 2003 | 6.5% | -17.3% |
| 2004 | 5.7% | -12.5% |
| 2005 | 5.5% | -2.8% |
| 2015 | 4.4% | -21.0% |
| 2017 | 7.6% | +73.4% |
| 2018 | 11.0% | +45.8% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 11.0% is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 1.9%, 5.7× the median. (53 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 11.0% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 13.4%, 82% of the median. (45 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes in South Africa changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | +73.4% | 4.4% | 7.6% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 32.3% | 32.3% | 32.3% | 1 |
| 1990s | 10.5% | 8.7% | 12.9% | 5 |
| 2000s | 7.4% | 5.5% | 9.9% | 6 |
| 2010s | 7.6% | 4.4% | 11.0% | 3 |
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 11.0% in 2018, 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 32.3% 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 4.4% in 2015.
- How does South Africa rank for out-of-school rate for children of primary school age, both sexes?
- South Africa ranks 42nd out of 188 countries with data for 2018.
- 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 99.7%. 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
The number of students of the official age for primary education is subtracted from the total population of the same age. The result is expressed as a percentage of the population of the official age for primary education. For more information, consult the UNESCO Institute of Statistics website: http://www.uis.unesco.org/Education/