Repeaters in Grade 5 of primary education, male (number) (Grade male) in South Africa
South Africa: Repeaters in Grade 5 of primary education, male (number) (Grade male) was 29,083 in 2023. ▼ Falling
Repeaters in Grade 5 of primary education, male in South Africa, 1991–2023
Source: UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
Analysis
In 2023, repeaters in grade 5 of primary education, male in South Africa stood at 29,083.
That represents a change of up 152.4% on the previous year and down 36.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, repeaters in grade 5 of primary education, male in South Africa peaked at 68,688 in 1991 and was at its lowest, 11,522, in 2022.
South Africa ranks 16th of 177 countries on this measure, 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, male (number) (Grade male) in South Africa, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 68,688 | — |
| 1998 | 43,119 | -37.2% |
| 1999 | 59,100 | +37.1% |
| 2000 | 64,841 | +9.7% |
| 2002 | 53,888 | -16.9% |
| 2003 | 32,907 | -38.9% |
| 2004 | 41,459 | +26.0% |
| 2015 | 45,713 | +10.3% |
| 2016 | 43,817 | -4.1% |
| 2018 | 42,489 | -3.0% |
| 2019 | 46,256 | +8.9% |
| 2020 | 41,626 | -10.0% |
| 2021 | 26,551 | -36.2% |
| 2022 | 11,522 | -56.6% |
| 2023 | 29,083 | +152.4% |
South Africa compared with similar countries
- South Africa's 29,083 is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 250, 116.3× the median. (49 countries reporting)
- South Africa's 29,083 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 6,591, 4.4× the median. (45 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 56,969 | 43,119 | 68,688 | 3 |
| 2000s | 48,274 | 32,907 | 64,841 | 4 |
| 2010s | 44,569 | 42,489 | 46,256 | 4 |
| 2020s | 27,196 | 11,522 | 41,626 | 4 |
Countries ranked near South Africa
- 13 Madagascar 35,091 compare
- 14 Afghanistan 30,983 compare
- 15 Angola 29,707 compare
- 17 United States 25,854 compare
- 18 Nepal 23,575 compare
- 19 Morocco 23,529 compare
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 repeaters in grade 5 of primary education, male in South Africa?
- Repeaters in grade 5 of primary education, male in South Africa was 29,083 in 2023, according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics.
- What is the highest repeaters in grade 5 of primary education, male recorded in South Africa?
- The highest recorded value was 68,688 in 1991.
- What is the lowest repeaters in grade 5 of primary education, male recorded in South Africa?
- The lowest recorded value was 11,522 in 2022.
- How does South Africa rank for repeaters in grade 5 of primary education, male?
- South Africa ranks 16th out of 177 countries with data for 2023.
- Is repeaters in grade 5 of primary education, male rising or falling in South Africa?
- Over the last ten years it is down 36.4%. 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, male (number). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
February 2026 Data Release