Percentage of enrolment in pre-primary education in private in South Africa
South Africa: Percentage of enrolment in pre-primary education in private was 6.8% in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Percentage of enrolment in pre-primary education in private in South Africa, 1994–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics. Measured in %.
Analysis
South Africa recorded 6.8% for percentage of enrolment in pre-primary education in private in 2023.
That represents a change of down 4.8% on the previous year and down 2.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, percentage of enrolment in pre-primary education in private in South Africa peaked at 26.0% in 1999 and was at its lowest, 5.5%, in 2018.
That places South Africa 174th out of 211 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Percentage of enrolment in pre-primary education in private in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 8.5% | — |
| 1999 | 26.0% | +206.8% |
| 2000 | 10.8% | -58.5% |
| 2015 | 7.0% | -35.2% |
| 2016 | 6.7% | -3.8% |
| 2017 | 5.6% | -16.1% |
| 2018 | 5.5% | -1.9% |
| 2019 | 6.0% | +8.1% |
| 2020 | 6.3% | +5.6% |
| 2021 | 6.7% | +6.7% |
| 2022 | 7.2% | +6.2% |
| 2023 | 6.8% | -4.8% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 6.8% is below the median for upper middle income countries, which is 18.4%, 37% of the median. (56 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 6.8% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 32.7%, 21% of the median. (42 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 17.2% | 8.5% | 26.0% | 2 |
| 2000s | 10.8% | 10.8% | 10.8% | 1 |
| 2010s | 6.2% | 5.5% | 7.0% | 5 |
| 2020s | 6.8% | 6.3% | 7.2% | 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 percentage of enrolment in pre-primary education in private in South Africa?
- Percentage of enrolment in pre-primary education in private in South Africa was 6.8% in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest percentage of enrolment in pre-primary education in private recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 26.0% in 1999.
- What is the lowest percentage of enrolment in pre-primary education in private recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 5.5% in 2018.
- How does South Africa rank for percentage of enrolment in pre-primary education in private?
- South Africa ranks 174th out of 211 countries with data for 2023.
- Is percentage of enrolment in pre-primary education in private rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 2.5%. 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 Percentage of enrolment in pre-primary education in private institutions, both sexes (%). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release