Outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying in in South Africa
South Africa: Outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying in was 1,216 in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying in in South Africa, 1998–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 1,216 for outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying in in 2023. That is the highest value across all 18 years on record.
The figure is up 197.3% on the previous year and up 211.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying in in South Africa peaked at 1,216 in 2023 and was at its lowest, 158, in 1998.
That places South Africa 34th out of 210 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying in in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 158 | — |
| 1999 | 158 | +0.0% |
| 2008 | 188 | +19.0% |
| 2009 | 213 | +13.3% |
| 2010 | 237 | +11.3% |
| 2011 | 229 | -3.4% |
| 2012 | 336 | +46.7% |
| 2013 | 390 | +16.1% |
| 2014 | 507 | +30.0% |
| 2015 | 433 | -14.6% |
| 2016 | 442 | +2.1% |
| 2017 | 391 | -11.5% |
| 2018 | 433 | +10.7% |
| 2019 | 431 | -0.5% |
| 2020 | 439 | +1.9% |
| 2021 | 397 | -9.6% |
| 2022 | 409 | +3.0% |
| 2023 | 1,216 | +197.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 158 | 158 | 158 | 2 |
| 2000s | 200.5 | 188 | 213 | 2 |
| 2010s | 382.9 | 229 | 507 | 10 |
| 2020s | 615.25 | 397 | 1,216 | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More education data for South Africa
- Enrolment in secondary education, male (number), gaps filled 2.68 million (2023)
- Enrolment in secondary education, male (number), annual growth rate 2.97 % change on previous year (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 818,404 (2023)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, both sexes (number), annual 3.28 % change on previous year (2023)
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) 1.19 million (2023)
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, both sexes (number) -2.55 % change on previous year (2023)
- Teachers in primary education, female (number), gaps filled 225,583 (2023)
- Teachers in primary education, male (number), gaps filled 61,727 (2023)
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, female (number) 748,573 (2023)
- Enrolment in tertiary education, all programmes, female (number) -1.43 % change on previous year (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying in in South Africa?
- Outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying in in South Africa was 1,216 in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying in recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 1,216 in 2023.
- What is the lowest outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying in recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 158 in 1998.
- How does South Africa rank for outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying in?
- South Africa ranks 34th out of 210 countries with data for 2023.
- Is outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying in rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 211.8%. 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 Outbound internationally mobile tertiary students studying in sub-Saharan Africa, both sexes (UIS estimate) (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 18 observations, free to reuse under CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO (UNESCO Institute for Statistics).
About this data
February 2026 Data Release