Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in South Africa
South Africa: Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal was 0.7818 GPIA in 2023. ▬ Flat
Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in South Africa, 2005–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in GPIA.
Analysis
The most recent figure for participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in South Africa is 0.7818 GPIA, measured in 2023.
That represents a change of down 34.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in South Africa peaked at 1.2 GPIA in 2013 and was at its lowest, 0.6897 GPIA, in 2005.
That places South Africa 40th out of 47 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the bottom quarter.
Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in South Africa, year by year
| Year | GPIA | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 0.6897 GPIA | — |
| 2011 | 1.07 GPIA | +55.1% |
| 2013 | 1.2 GPIA | +12.1% |
| 2014 | 1.16 GPIA | -3.6% |
| 2015 | 0.9312 GPIA | -19.5% |
| 2019 | 0.8842 GPIA | -5.0% |
| 2023 | 0.7818 GPIA | -11.6% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 0.7818 GPIA is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 0.8219 GPIA, 95% of the median. (12 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 0.6897 GPIA | 0.6897 GPIA | 0.6897 GPIA | 1 |
| 2010s | 1.05 GPIA | 0.8842 GPIA | 1.2 GPIA | 5 |
| 2020s | 0.7818 GPIA | 0.7818 GPIA | 0.7818 GPIA | 1 |
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 participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in South Africa?
- Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal in South Africa was 0.7818 GPIA in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 1.2 GPIA in 2013.
- What is the lowest participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.6897 GPIA in 2005.
- How does South Africa rank for participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal?
- South Africa ranks 40th out of 47 countries with data for 2023.
- Is participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 34.8%. 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 Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal education and training in the previous 12 months, 55-64 years old, adjusted gender parity index (GPIA). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release