Repeaters in Grade 2 of lower secondary general education, both sexes in South Africa
South Africa: Repeaters in Grade 2 of lower secondary general education, both sexes was 87,328 in 2023. ▼ Falling
Repeaters in Grade 2 of lower secondary general education, both sexes in South Africa, 1991–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
In 2023, repeaters in grade 2 of lower secondary general education, both sexes in South Africa stood at 87,328.
That represents a change of down 7.7% on the previous year and down 32.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, repeaters in grade 2 of lower secondary general education, both sexes in South Africa peaked at 147,302 in 1999 and was at its lowest, 66,384, in 2021.
South Africa ranks 7th of 199 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 13 years of available data.
Repeaters in Grade 2 of lower secondary general education, both sexes in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 124,872 | — |
| 1999 | 147,302 | +18.0% |
| 2000 | 144,539 | -1.9% |
| 2002 | 134,960 | -6.6% |
| 2003 | 75,671 | -43.9% |
| 2004 | 120,029 | +58.6% |
| 2016 | 128,942 | +7.4% |
| 2018 | 114,791 | -11.0% |
| 2019 | 134,416 | +17.1% |
| 2020 | 118,983 | -11.5% |
| 2021 | 66,384 | -44.2% |
| 2022 | 94,578 | +42.5% |
| 2023 | 87,328 | -7.7% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 136,087 | 124,872 | 147,302 | 2 |
| 2000s | 118,800 | 75,671 | 144,539 | 4 |
| 2010s | 126,050 | 114,791 | 134,416 | 3 |
| 2020s | 91,818 | 66,384 | 118,983 | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 4 Algeria 140,858 compare
- 5 Congo, Democratic Republic of the 113,489 compare
- 6 Iraq 110,558 compare
- 8 Bangladesh 79,986 compare
- 9 United States of America 78,985 compare
- 10 Colombia 73,141 compare
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 repeaters in grade 2 of lower secondary general education, both sexes in South Africa?
- Repeaters in grade 2 of lower secondary general education, both sexes in South Africa was 87,328 in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest repeaters in grade 2 of lower secondary general education, both sexes recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 147,302 in 1999.
- What is the lowest repeaters in grade 2 of lower secondary general education, both sexes recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 66,384 in 2021.
- How does South Africa rank for repeaters in grade 2 of lower secondary general education, both sexes?
- South Africa ranks 7th out of 199 countries with data for 2023.
- Is repeaters in grade 2 of lower secondary general education, both sexes rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 32.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this South Africa data come from?
- The figures come from UNESCO Institute for Statistics, published as part of Repeaters in Grade 2 of lower secondary general education, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release