Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate in South Africa
South Africa: Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate was -1.44 % change on previous year in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate in South Africa, 1978–2023
Source: Statizoid (derived). Measured in % change on previous year.
Analysis
In 2023, primary education, pupils, annual growth rate in South Africa stood at -1.44 % change on previous year.
The figure is down 64.2% on the previous year and down 269.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, primary education, pupils, annual growth rate in South Africa peaked at 33.67 % change on previous year in 1989 and was at its lowest, -6.18 % change on previous year, in 2000.
That places South Africa 158th out of 206 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.
Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate in South Africa, year by year
| Year | % change on previous year | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | -4.23 % change on previous year | — |
| 1979 | 3.05 % change on previous year | -172.1% |
| 1982 | -1.22 % change on previous year | -139.9% |
| 1987 | 3.87 % change on previous year | -418.0% |
| 1988 | 2.74 % change on previous year | -29.1% |
| 1989 | 33.67 % change on previous year | +1128.5% |
| 1990 | 2.87 % change on previous year | -91.5% |
| 1991 | 3.71 % change on previous year | +29.3% |
| 1995 | 2.35 % change on previous year | -36.6% |
| 1998 | -1.14 % change on previous year | -148.5% |
| 1999 | -0.7966 % change on previous year | -30.2% |
| 2000 | -6.18 % change on previous year | +675.8% |
| 2001 | -0.4215 % change on previous year | -93.2% |
| 2002 | 0.7056 % change on previous year | -267.4% |
| 2003 | 0.0636 % change on previous year | -91.0% |
| 2004 | -0.3526 % change on previous year | -654.2% |
| 2005 | -1.74 % change on previous year | +394.1% |
| 2006 | -0.792 % change on previous year | -54.5% |
| 2007 | 0.7681 % change on previous year | -197.0% |
| 2008 | -1.1 % change on previous year | -243.5% |
| 2009 | -1.43 % change on previous year | +29.4% |
| 2010 | -1.46 % change on previous year | +2.4% |
| 2011 | -0.8486 % change on previous year | -41.9% |
| 2012 | 0.5703 % change on previous year | -167.2% |
| 2013 | 0.8476 % change on previous year | +48.6% |
| 2014 | 1.86 % change on previous year | +119.3% |
| 2015 | 5.01 % change on previous year | +169.6% |
| 2016 | -0.6136 % change on previous year | -112.2% |
| 2017 | 0.301 % change on previous year | -149.0% |
| 2018 | 0.4821 % change on previous year | +60.2% |
| 2019 | 1.59 % change on previous year | +228.9% |
| 2020 | 0.3598 % change on previous year | -77.3% |
| 2021 | -0.2322 % change on previous year | -164.6% |
| 2022 | -0.8748 % change on previous year | +276.7% |
| 2023 | -1.44 % change on previous year | +64.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | -0.5906 % change on previous year | -4.23 % change on previous year | 3.05 % change on previous year | 2 |
| 1980s | 9.77 % change on previous year | -1.22 % change on previous year | 33.67 % change on previous year | 4 |
| 1990s | 1.4 % change on previous year | -1.14 % change on previous year | 3.71 % change on previous year | 5 |
| 2000s | -1.05 % change on previous year | -6.18 % change on previous year | 0.7681 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 2010s | 0.7735 % change on previous year | -1.46 % change on previous year | 5.01 % change on previous year | 10 |
| 2020s | -0.5459 % change on previous year | -1.44 % change on previous year | 0.3598 % change on previous year | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 155 Finland -1.29 % change on previous year compare
- 156 Fiji -1.34 % change on previous year compare
- 157 Uruguay -1.35 % change on previous year compare
- 159 Ireland -1.49 % change on previous year compare
- 160 Morocco -1.63 % change on previous year compare
- 161 Bosnia and Herzegovina -1.64 % change on previous year compare
More education data for South Africa
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 7.52 million (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)
- Secondary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 7.52 million (2023)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), annual growth -1.44 % change on previous year (2023)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2023)
- Enrolment in primary education, both sexes (number), per capita 0.119 units per person (2023)
- Enrolment in primary education, female (number), gaps filled 3.65 million (2023)
- Enrolment in primary education, female (number), annual growth rate -1.31 % change on previous year (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is primary education, pupils, annual growth rate in South Africa?
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate in South Africa was -1.44 % change on previous year in 2023, according to Statizoid (derived).
- What is the highest primary education, pupils, annual growth rate recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 33.67 % change on previous year in 1989.
- What is the lowest primary education, pupils, annual growth rate recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was -6.18 % change on previous year in 2000.
- How does South Africa rank for primary education, pupils, annual growth rate?
- South Africa ranks 158th out of 206 countries with data for 2023.
- Is primary education, pupils, annual growth rate rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 269.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from Statizoid (derived), published as part of Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 35 observations, free to reuse under Derived by Statizoid from the sources named on the page.
How this figure is calculated
The year-on-year percentage change in Primary education, pupils. Computed from consecutive annual observations; years either side of a gap are skipped rather than bridged.
Computed from
- Primary education, pupils Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Statizoid computes this series; the underlying measurements belong to the publishers named above. The arithmetic is applied to every country and year where both inputs report, and nothing is estimated unless the page says so.
About this data
The year-on-year percentage change in Primary education, pupils. Computed from consecutive annual observations; years either side of a gap are skipped rather than bridged.