Repeaters in Grade 5 of primary education, both sexes in South Africa
South Africa: Repeaters in Grade 5 of primary education, both sexes was 39,902 in 2023. ▼ Falling
Repeaters in Grade 5 of primary education, both sexes in South Africa, 1991–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
The most recent figure for repeaters in grade 5 of primary education, both sexes in South Africa is 39,902, measured in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 73.2% on the previous year and down 46.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, repeaters in grade 5 of primary education, both sexes in South Africa peaked at 121,300 in 1991 and was at its lowest, 23,044, in 2022.
That places South Africa 18th out of 183 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top 10%.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 15 years of available data.
Repeaters in Grade 5 of primary education, both sexes in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 121,300 | — |
| 1998 | 75,659 | -37.6% |
| 1999 | 102,768 | +35.8% |
| 2000 | 105,103 | +2.3% |
| 2002 | 90,452 | -13.9% |
| 2003 | 54,410 | -39.8% |
| 2004 | 75,266 | +38.3% |
| 2015 | 75,030 | -0.3% |
| 2016 | 70,803 | -5.6% |
| 2018 | 62,396 | -11.9% |
| 2019 | 67,242 | +7.8% |
| 2020 | 60,316 | -10.3% |
| 2021 | 39,053 | -35.3% |
| 2022 | 23,044 | -41.0% |
| 2023 | 39,902 | +73.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 99,909 | 75,659 | 121,300 | 3 |
| 2000s | 81,308 | 54,410 | 105,103 | 4 |
| 2010s | 68,868 | 62,396 | 75,030 | 4 |
| 2020s | 40,579 | 23,044 | 60,316 | 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 repeaters in grade 5 of primary education, both sexes in South Africa?
- Repeaters in grade 5 of primary education, both sexes in South Africa was 39,902 in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest repeaters in grade 5 of primary education, both sexes recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 121,300 in 1991.
- What is the lowest repeaters in grade 5 of primary education, both sexes recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 23,044 in 2022.
- How does South Africa rank for repeaters in grade 5 of primary education, both sexes?
- South Africa ranks 18th out of 183 countries with data for 2023.
- Is repeaters in grade 5 of primary education, both sexes rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 46.8%. 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 5 of primary education, both sexes (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release