Population having attained at least basic education in South Africa
South Africa: Population having attained at least basic education was 98.1 in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2020)
98.1
World rank
42nd
of 111 countries
All-time high
98.1
in 2020
All-time low
12.4
in 1870
Years of data
31
1870–2020
Population having attained at least basic education in South Africa, 1870–2020
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for population having attained at least basic education in South Africa is 98.1, measured in 2020. That is the highest value across all 31 years on record.
The figure is up 2.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population having attained at least basic education in South Africa peaked at 98.1 in 2020 and was at its lowest, 12.4, in 1870.
That places South Africa 42nd out of 111 countries with data for 2020, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Population having attained at least basic education in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1870 | 12.4 | — |
| 1875 | 14.7 | +18.5% |
| 1880 | 17.3 | +17.7% |
| 1885 | 20.7 | +19.7% |
| 1890 | 23.3 | +12.6% |
| 1895 | 23.2 | -0.4% |
| 1900 | 21.5 | -7.3% |
| 1905 | 21.6 | +0.5% |
| 1910 | 22 | +1.9% |
| 1915 | 25.1 | +14.1% |
| 1920 | 32.9 | +31.1% |
| 1925 | 36.8 | +11.9% |
| 1930 | 40.2 | +9.2% |
| 1935 | 43.3 | +7.7% |
| 1940 | 45.6 | +5.3% |
| 1945 | 48.6 | +6.6% |
| 1950 | 51.1 | +5.1% |
| 1955 | 53.5 | +4.7% |
| 1960 | 55 | +2.8% |
| 1965 | 59.1 | +7.5% |
| 1970 | 63.5 | +7.4% |
| 1975 | 69 | +8.7% |
| 1980 | 75 | +8.7% |
| 1985 | 82.4 | +9.9% |
| 1990 | 89.6 | +8.7% |
| 1995 | 95.6 | +6.7% |
| 2000 | 86.7 | -9.3% |
| 2005 | 91.1 | +5.1% |
| 2010 | 96 | +5.4% |
| 2015 | 97.1 | +1.1% |
| 2020 | 98.1 | +1.0% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 98.1 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 97.4, 1.0× the median. (30 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 98.1 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 78, 1.3× the median. (23 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1870s | 13.55 | 12.4 | 14.7 | 2 |
| 1880s | 19 | 17.3 | 20.7 | 2 |
| 1890s | 23.25 | 23.2 | 23.3 | 2 |
| 1900s | 21.55 | 21.5 | 21.6 | 2 |
| 1910s | 23.55 | 22 | 25.1 | 2 |
| 1920s | 34.85 | 32.9 | 36.8 | 2 |
| 1930s | 41.75 | 40.2 | 43.3 | 2 |
| 1940s | 47.1 | 45.6 | 48.6 | 2 |
| 1950s | 52.3 | 51.1 | 53.5 | 2 |
| 1960s | 57.05 | 55 | 59.1 | 2 |
| 1970s | 66.25 | 63.5 | 69 | 2 |
| 1980s | 78.7 | 75 | 82.4 | 2 |
| 1990s | 92.6 | 89.6 | 95.6 | 2 |
| 2000s | 88.9 | 86.7 | 91.1 | 2 |
| 2010s | 96.55 | 96 | 97.1 | 2 |
| 2020s | 98.1 | 98.1 | 98.1 | 1 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
More education data for South Africa
- Gender gap education levels, gaps filled 94.05 (2023)
- Primary enrollment selected countries, gaps filled 93.94 (2023)
- 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)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population having attained at least basic education in South Africa?
- Population having attained at least basic education in South Africa was 98.1 in 2020, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest population having attained at least basic education recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 98.1 in 2020.
- What is the lowest population having attained at least basic education recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 12.4 in 1870.
- How does South Africa rank for population having attained at least basic education?
- South Africa ranks 42nd out of 111 countries with data for 2020.
- Is population having attained at least basic education rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Population having attained at least basic education. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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